San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will go without one of his favorite targets as heads into year four this upcoming season.
The 49ers traded away star wide receiver Deebo Samuel earlier this offseason to the Washington Commanders, and Purdy had three seasons of throwing the ball to Samuel amid the quarterback’s emergence from 2022 on. Purdy spoke at length about it during a recent appearance on the “Bussin With The Boys” podcast.
“It sucks, dude. He’s my boy,” Purdy told the podcast hosts. “I love Deebo. Day one, he’s always had my back and believed in me when I got in. I didn’t really know how the guys were going to take it when I did get thrown in.”
“Jimmy [Garoppolo] went down; I was the last quarterback, and Deebo was nothing but just great to me, dude, building me up, and just giving me confidence,” Purdy added.
Brock Purdy, Deebo Samuel Thrived First 2 Years Together
Purdy and Samuel truly thrived in their first two years together.
Samuel had 56 receptions for 632 yards and two touchdowns plus 42 carries for 232 yards rushing and four touchdowns in 2022. Part of that production helped Purdy go 5-0 as a starter amid a 67.1% completion rate for 1,374 yards and 13 touchdowns versus four interceptions.
Getty| Brock Purdy handing off the ball to Deebo Samuel during the San Francisco 49ers game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
They helped the 49ers reach the NFC Championship Game that season, and Purdy benefitted from a stronger season by Samuel in 2023 amid a Super Bowl run. Samuel had 60 receptions for 892 yards and seven touchdowns plus 37 carries for 225 yards and five touchdowns. Purdy produced an MVP season along the way amid a 69.4% completion rate, 4,280 yards passing, and 31 touchdowns versus 11 picks.
“In games, we fed off each other’s energy and building each other up,” Purdy said. “It was awesome, and over the last couple of years, same thing. So, we created just a great relationship. He’s my brother.”
Things didn’t go as smoothly in 2024 for either during an injury-plagued season. Samuel caught 51 passes for 670 yards and three touchdowns, and he ran for 136 yards and a touchdown on 42 carries. Purdy dipped with a 65.9% completion rate as he threw for 3,864 yards and 20 touchdowns versus 12 interceptions.
Brock Purdy: ‘That’s Just How This Business Goes’
Despite Purdy’s numerical decline, the 49ers gave him a five-year, $265 million deal this offseason. Samuel had a three-year, $71.5 million deal with the 49ers, and he now has a one-year, $17.54 million deal with the Commanders.
Purdy accepts “that’s just how this business goes” regarding Samuel’s departure.
“And I hope he goes to Washington and kills it and does great,” Purdy said. “Anytime you get Deebo the ball, you never know what can happen. He’s an explosive player, exciting to watch. He’s got a lot of great ball in front of him, too.”
Brock Purdy Not Concerned About Deebo Samuel’s Outlook
Samuel took negative feedback on social media this offseason after a video from Commanders practice showed him moving at a slower clip. While it was a practice, it didn’t stop people from speculating that Samuel might decline in 2024, which Purdy doesn’t believe.
“I know when the season comes rolling around, too, Deebo’s gonna have a chip on the shoulder this year, for sure,” Purdy said, “and he’s gonna be just fine. I don’t buy into any of that stuff.”
The 49ers and Commanders don’t meet in the regular season, but the two could meet in the playoffs. Washington made the NFC Championship Game last season, and the 49ers have been to four since 2020.
