This makes sense as ARM's reference designs have outstripped everyone but Apple in the CPU (well ARM CPU, although ARM has started pushing Intel and AMD). Nvidia, who desperately needs CPU now that AMD and Intel are making GPUs (which means they'll be able to start squeezing Nvidia out), haven't had any luck getting traction on their CPU design (of course they took a more drastic approach). But Qualcomm couldn't either so it was becoming kinda futile. On top of that, custom ARM designs in many ways was fracturing the market, causing software related issues that prevent them from maximizing development (its why all the ARM GPUs have been chasing feature set of the PC GPUs, meet the standards to maximize compatibility). With ARM growing outside of mobile, it kinda needs to converge some to aid software development.
I'd guess another elephant in the room is IP issues. I think that was the major impetus behind the AMD GPU deal, but like with that, if they work with others they can pool R&D money and Samsung can trim some fat. Now Samsung lets others do the grunt of the chip design, and they can focus on the production engineering. Seems like a smart move for Samsung.
Heck, maybe AMD would absorb the team and put them to work developing the Samsung designs (pairing ARM reference with AMD GPU)? I think AMD could make the case, especially for their semi-custom unit as not having a track record with ARM very possibly cost them the Nintendo Switch deal (and there's definitely going to be others that want ARM designs, as streaming and VR/AR begins to grow).
Seemingly the team would be complete so AMD wouldn't need to do much more than give them some resources (money mostly, and if they use the ARM reference stuff mostly then ARM will be doing most of the chip design work) and since its still some time before the Samsung chips will be showing up, it shouldn't upset anything currently (i.e. steal production from AMD's other stuff; while giving them some help in using Samsung's fabs) and AMD could possibly work a deal with Samsung to get the team for cheap due to their established deal.