Deebo Samuel’s chapter with the 49ers has come to a closing point, and it’s as bittersweet as your favorite local coffee shop’s overpriced mocha. On a Saturday that felt more like an unscheduled breakup text, the San Francisco team decided to ship Deebo off to the Washington Commanders, earning themselves a fifth-round draft pick in return. Yup, that’s right, a future player instead of a Super Bowl ring. Jokes aside, the real kicker was Deebo’s emotional goodbye on Instagram, where he shared a heartwarming montage of his greatest hits in the iconic Red and Gold set to DJ Khaled’s anthem, ‘God Did’. Cue the waterworks.

In a farewell so heartfelt it could induce eye-rolling, Samuel thanked fans for their support, letting us glimpse how much the 49ers meant to him during his six-season run. In his tribute video, we even get snippets from a nostalgic phone call with 49ers’ GM John Lynch on draft day in 2019. “You ready to be a Niner?” Lynch asked, and Deebo’s eager response, “Yes, sir”, hits different now.

As Samuel stepped onto the field, he helped elevate the 49ers to quadruple NFC Championship Game appearances and two Super Bowl showdowns, all while strutting in style thanks to his boombox walks with teammate Trent Williams. He redefined what it meant to be a game-changer, bringing flair and excitement like only a true San Francisco legend could. No, there weren’t any shiny trophies to show for it, but those electrifying moments, especially during 2021, are now part of 49ers folklore.

Despite his trade request after a lackluster 2024 season, fans are left grappling with mixed feelings. The team informed Deebo back on February 9 that he could seek greener pastures, which ultimately led to Saturday’s sad but somewhat predictable news. Multiple suitors buzzed around, but it was the Commanders that sealed the deal.

So, as Deebo dons a new jersey and takes the field under fresh colors, let’s hope he doesn’t forget the fans who loved him, at least until he becomes the next big superstar we all love to hate.

Thanks for the memories, Deebo! Here’s to hoping the Commanders give you the love you deserve, unlike the rest of a capitalistic world that often overlooks real talent in favor of profits.