Most of the interest surrounding Deebo Samuel as a member of the Washington Commanders concerns the many ways offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury will use the All-Pro wide receiver in both the run and passing games, but the multi-faceted veteran is also proving his versatility in another phase of football.
Samuel has been trying out a new role at training camp. One involving making an impact on special teams by returning kicks.
He’s “been working at returning kickoffs, paired with Austin Ekeler,” according to ESPN’s John Keim. Turning Samuel loose on special teams is yet another way to let the former San Francisco 49ers star influence games.
Exerting Samuel’s influence is as many ways as possible is how the Commanders maximize the return they got when they sent a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft to the Niners earlier this offseason.
Commanders Need Multi-Layered Plan for Deebo Samuel
Kingsbury’s plans for Samuel remain something of a secret, although Keim pulled back the curtain slightly. He revealed the Commanders “moved him (Samuel) around on offense, aligning him in different areas and letting him carry it on occasion,” during camp on Monday, July 28.
Samuel’s ability to double up as a receiver and running back is familiar to most NFL fans. It’s what makes him the ideal fit for a Washington offense underpinned by the dual-threat talents of star quarterback Jayden Daniels.
The latter’s development has been accelerated by moving parts at the skill positions. Samuel is a deluxe version of the modern roving playmaker, status he remains determined to justify in 2025.
No matter where he plays.
Deebo Samuel Can Prove Point on Special Teams
As Samuel put it, “I still got a lot in the tank. I just go out here and get better every day. Whatever position they put me at to go out here and make plays, I’m going to do the best of my ability,” per Commanders.com Senior Writer Zach Selby.
Adding kick returner to “whatever position they put me at,” can help 29-year-old Samuel prove his point. It’s not as if Samuel doesn’t have some modest experience in this area.
He returned 17 kicks for the 49ers last season, averaging 31.4 yards in the process, per Pro Football Reference. He even came close to breaking a franchise record during a 35-10 defeat to the Buffalo Bills in Week 13, according to Stathead Football.
Even though running back kicks is hardly nothing new for Samuel, it was mostly a niche skill for the player who made just 26 returns before this year. Putting Samuel back on return duty was a changeup for the 49ers, a way to get their most dynamic star into a spot to flip field position and change momentum in an instant.
Those same things can be valuable in Washington, but the Commanders need more than just an occasional changeup on special teams. They didn’t score a single touchdown in the return game last season.
The Commanders also produced just one return of 50-plus yards, this 62-yarder generated by running back Ekeler against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3.
What the Commanders are missing is a consistent game-changer to field kicks. Samuel can be that player to take full advantage of new league rules dictating touchbacks will bring the ball out to the 35-yard line, discouraging teams from sending kickoffs into the end zone.
The Commanders need him to be a WR1, especially when go-to target Terry McLaurin’s status is still far from certain, but Samuel’s potential impact as a returner can’t be underestimated.
