Deebo Samuel Hasn't Lived Up to his Contract Extension with the 49ers
Once upon a time, Deebo Samuel was a great player.
He was an All Pro two years ago, the focal point of the 49ers offense. The go-to guy. One of the most dangerous weapons in the NFL. That's why the 49ers gave him an extension that averages nearly $24 million per season even though he requested a trade.
Then in 2022, he was overweight and out of shape -- he acknowledged this a few months ago. Said he had rededicated himself to his craft and was in the best shape of his life. Seemed on the verge of another great season, like the one he had in 2021. But that hasn't materialized.
Since Samuel signed his mega contract extension with the 49ers before the 2022 season, he has just three games in which he has gained more than 100 yards from scrimmage, and two of them came against the Rams, a team he always gets up to play. In addition, Samuel has scored just 7 touchdowns and missed five games. And a few weeks ago against Arizona, he played but he was a non-factor because he was injured, and had 3 carries for 6 yards and no catches.
And yet, Samuel is the player on the 49ers who does the most talking. He's the one who went on the press tour after the NFC Championship Game and said that the 49ers were going to expose Eagles cornerback James Bradberry if Brock Purdy has been healthy. Then last week he went back and forth repeatedly with Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons after the 49ers beat them. Then Samuel got in a fight with the Browns before Sunday's loss. And now he's beefing publicly with Lions safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson.
Samuel needs to stop chirping and start earning his contract.
