The Washington Commanders chose not to bring Samuel back after a respectable 2025 season in which he led their receivers with 72 catches for 727 yards and five touchdowns, and he remains on the market.
The reality is that Samuel is 30 years old, has battled injuries, and has seen his production trend down since his 2021 peak, posting a career-low 10.1 yards per catch last season.
He is coming off a one-year, $17.5 million deal, but front offices increasingly prefer cheaper, younger options, meaning he may have to lower his asking price. Here are the top landing spots.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders are the most logical fit and are thin at receiver.
Las Vegas has a young core built around No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza, Ashton Jeanty, and Pro Bowl tight end Brock Bowers, but the receiver room lacks a proven veteran presence beyond Tre Tucker and Jalen Nailor.
Samuel would immediately be the team's best receiver without being forced to carry the load, and new head coach Klint Kubiak overlapped with him during the 2023 season in San Francisco, giving the two a connection to build from.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos make sense as a Sean Payton-style value signing.
Denver could pair Samuel as an interior bully alongside Courtland Sutton's vertical game, while also giving him a role as a mentor to Marvin Mims Jr., another player who thrives with the ball in his hands.
Payton has a history of creative team-building at the position, and plucking a former Pro Bowler off the market late in the offseason would fit his approach.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have arguably the thinnest receiving group in the NFL.
With Malik Washington, Jalen Tolbert, and Tutu Atwell atop the depth chart and no veteran leader in the room, Miami might be the only franchise where Samuel could realistically step in as the No. 1 option.
His versatility as a runner could also help an offense that will otherwise lean heavily on De'Von Achane.
Whether Samuel signs soon depends largely on his willingness to lower his price, but with several needy receiver rooms around the league, the versatile weapon should find a home before the season begins.
