When the San Francisco 49ers reunited with Deebo Samuel in the beginning stages of training camp, it reeked slightly of desperation. They had just lost Rick Pearsall for the season, and their wide receiver room felt uncomfortably thin.
Deebo is 30 years old and clearly past his prime, though he showed up to camp looking fit and in good spirits. While the extent of his production in 2026 remains to be seen, he is already proving he was worth every cent of his one-year contract, and it has nothing to do with his on-field performance.
Since Samuel reported to Niners camp on August 1, he has been working alongside a slew of pass catchers, most notably rookie De'Zhaun Stribling. Thankfully, the second-round pick has soaked up every bit of the opportunity.
“Route running, physicality. The way [he] can manipulate routes... Getting open, creating separation and having strong hands at the catch point," were just some of the things he listed when asked what he has been able to learn from his veteran counterpart.
Deebo is helping 49ers with essential De'Zhaun Stribling project
Such veteran mentorship is essential for a young receiver who will likely be expected to contribute right from the jump. With George Kittle uncertain for Week 1 and Mike Evans dealing with soft-tissue injuries, there is a chance Stribling enters his first NFL season as one of Brock Purdy's go-to weapons. Whether or not he will be ready to handle such a responsibility remains to be seen.
As of now, though, it is clear Stribling has been taking copious notes from his elders, which can only be a good sign. It's one of the reasons why the 49ers enjoy having experienced players around, even if they appear to be past their physical primes. If the red and gold play their cards right, they can extend their championship window with veterans mentoring the younger generation, thus passing the torch without skipping a beat.
Mike Evans, the 49ers' blockbuster offseason signing, was a home run add that brought knowledge to an inexperienced wide receiver room, and the late addition of Deebo Samuel doubles down on that notion - for a fraction of the price. His one-year deal worth up to $7 million is a far cry from the three-year commitment worth up to $73.5 million he agreed to in his first stint with the team.
It is uncertain whether the 49ers will attempt to bring Deebo back beyond this year. If he doesn't have enough left in the tank, then he might just end up being a short-term rental. However, he is already proving that his veteran presence extends beyond just catching passes. With so much hinging on De'Zhaun Stribling's development, fans have to be encouraged by the fact that the rookie is taking advantage of the high football IQs around him.
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