The San Francisco 49ers reuniting with wide receiver Deebo Samuel did not come as a huge shock, especially after Ricky Pearsall underwent season-ending surgery. What is surprising is that the Niners might actually be getting a version of Samuel that they probably thought they’d never see again.
Matt Barrows of The Athletic recently wrote about how Samuel looked in training camp and noted:
“He’s looked good when he’s been out there. I’m not saying he’s back to looking like 2021-season Deebo, but 2023-season Deebo seems reasonable. The 49ers also have not been shy about giving him carries and talking about using him as a running back. So not only is Deebo back — wideback is back.”
For context, 2023 was the last time Samuel recorded over 1,000 all-purpose yards. In the two years that followed, his production has fallen off a cliff.
Samuel was a shell of himself in 2024, when he had 670 receiving yards and just four total touchdowns. His lone season in Washington was just as disappointing. Though he upped his receiving yardage, his production on the ground dropped off, as he only received 17 carries.
Another peak season from Deebo Samuel would be the last thing the 49ers expected
Because of this, San Francisco likely re-signed him with the expectation that he could provide a steady veteran presence while occasionally producing in timely situations. Another prime campaign, though, would change the entire landscape of the offense.
In 2023, Samuel had 892 receiving yards and 225 yards on the ground with 12 total touchdowns, though it remains to be seen whether he can still be effective as a running back at this stage of his career. Still, he appears to be in good shape, and if he stays healthy, there’s no reason to think he can’t at least sniff numbers in a similar ballpark.
If nothing else, it seems like Samuel appreciates the Niners in his second stint with the team. Perhaps being with another organization for a year made him realize just how good he had it and will lead to a resurgence on the field.
It does feel right to see him in a 49ers uniform again, and perhaps his nostalgia will help him tap into a younger version of himself, even if the Niners thought that version was long gone. If he is able to do so, Brock Purdy will suddenly have more weapons than he knows what to do with.
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