DEAL AGREED: Bears are in Advance Talks to Land Projected $34 Million Former Commanders Wide Receiver

The Washington Commanders will see changes in 2024, with new head coach Dan Quinn and the second overall pick in the draft. It is expected that the Commanders will choose a quarterback, and if that happens, putting weapons around him will be crucial. Keeping older ones around may also be a smart decision. Curtis Samuel is one of the names to keep an eye out for. Other teams, such as the Chicago Bears, may be interested in him because they, too, are looking for weapons to surround their young quarterback, whether it’s Justin Fields or whoever they draft first.

Samuel is expected to sign a three-year, $34.6 million contract, according to Spotrac. He ended the 2023 season with 613 yards and four touchdowns. He’s only reached 656 yards once in his career, with 851 in 2020 with the Carolina Panthers. $34.6 million is a reasonable price considering his output, but there are better choices to consider as the Commanders improve their offence. According to Garrett Podell of CBS Sports, Samuel might join the Panthers and play alongside former Carolina Panthers colleague D.J. Moore.

“The Chicago Bears could also reunite Samuel with former Panthers teammate D.J. Moore in an effort to add more playmaking to their downtrodden passing game.”

Is Samuel Worth Re-signing for the Commanders?
With so many changing elements this offseason, the Washington Commanders need to find stability somewhere on their roster. Samuel has been with the organization for three seasons and is entering his ninth season in the NFL. This summer, a veteran who is familiar with the organization can help the Commanders significantly, but at what cost?

Samuel is an above-average wide receiver, but not much more. He’d be a No. 3 option on a Super Bowl club, which the Commanders are far from as they now stand. Given Moore’s presence, the Chicago Bears might take another receiver with the No. 9 choice, given they hold the first and ninth picks in this round.

Ben Standig of The Athletic commented on the Commanders’ decision.

“This is a hard one. Samuel has become a valuable offensive chess piece over the last two seasons, with 126 receptions and 10 touchdowns from scrimmage. There will always be concerns about this sports car version of a receiver requiring maintenance, but he has missed only one game since his injury-plagued 2021 season. Samuel’s speed and quickness would be deadly under Kliff Kingsbury’s scheme, which Quinn describes as “stretching the field horizontally and vertically.”

What Samuel Contributes to the Bears
As things stand, the Chicago Bears are likely in a better position than the Washington Commanders. Despite their recent problems, the Bears boast the No. 1 pick, a defence that outperformed the Commanders last season, and a true top receiver.

This offseason, the Commanders have almost $70 million in cap space, so that might change. However, the Bears are in a better position going forward and might contend sooner than the Commanders if they improve this offseason.

Samuel can bring them a receiver with nearly a decade of experience who can contribute as a second or third option.

He is familiar with Moore and can provide value to Fields or someone they draft if they do not move the No. 1 pick.