Former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel was recently asked about who the best quarterback he played with is. Samuel's answer was not all that surprising, but it could be interpreted as some subtle shade towards former Niners quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
This is what Samuel said in his response:
"That’s a question I’m not gonna answer. I played with two really really good quarterbacks. Really, really good ones. Brock Purdy and Jayden Daniels."
Deebo Samuel was asked who was the best quarterback he’s played with:
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) March 1, 2026
“That’s a question I’m not gonna answer. I played with two really really good quarterbacks. Really really good ones. Brock Purdy and Jayden Daniels.”
We know the answer to that question… pic.twitter.com/PdzanbC6Gt
Now, Samuel did not say that Garoppolo is a terrible quarterback. But it seems he does not qualify as a "really, really good" quarterback in Deebo's estimation.
Samuel was a fervent defender of Garoppolo when they were teammates. He would always point out the fact Jimmy G was a proven winner and pretty much did nothing but win in his time with San Francisco.
It's true, as Garoppolo had a regular-season record of 38-17 in his time in the Bay Area and helped lead the team to a Super Bowl appearance and an NFC Championship game appearance.
Yet, Garoppolo's poor showing with the Las Vegas Raiders after things ended with the 49ers showed he was probably propped up by a great supporting cast, brilliant head coach, and strong defense while he was with the Niners.
That doesn't mean he is absolute garbage. In fact, get Samuel alone in a room and he'd probably tell you that Jimmy G is a good quarterback. But obviously not on the same level as Purdy or Daniels.
Purdy has proven that he is the ideal guy to operate Shanahan's offense. His accuracy and his ability to read defenses is why the 49ers were willing to commit to him as their quarterback of the future.
Daniels had a rough, injury-plagued 2025 with Samuel on the Washington Commanders, but in 2024 as a rookie, the quarterback was excellent and led the Commanders to the NFC Championship game.
Garoppolo is a free agent this offseason, and there are some rumors that the Arizona Cardinals have some interest in him. That seems like it would probably go as well as it did when he went to the Raiders, so not too many 49ers fans would oppose.
As for Samuel, he, too, is set to hit free agency. Some view a reunion with the Niners as a distinct possibility even though Samuel declined in his final years with San Francisco, which led to him being traded to Washington.
Who knows? Maybe Garoppolo and Samuel will reunite somewhere, and Jimmy G can ask him why he doesn't think he's a "really, really good" quarterback.