49ers' Purdy Shares Emotional Reaction to Deebo Trade

Ever since his excellent All-Pro season in 2021, versatile receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. has not been the same player, seeing a steady decline in production each year since.

Last year was no different as the San Francisco 49ers' veteran pass-catcher struggled to show the same burst off the line he has shown in previous years.

Those performances compounded with injury worries across the rest of the 49ers roster to result in a disappointing season where they missed the playoffs. This offseason, the front office and Samuel agreed it was time to move on, as the Niners offensive core was - and still is - growing older.

Samuel was traded to the Washington Commanders in exchange for draft capital. He spent six seasons in the Bay Area to begin his career.

Those last few seasons featured quarterback Brock Purdy throwing him the ball. The 49ers' new $265 million man recently opened up about his emotional reaction upon hearing the news of Samuel's trade.

"It sucks dude. He's my boy. I love Deebo," Purdy said on the "Bussin With The Boys" podcast. "Day 1, 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 like the last quarterback, and Deebo was nothing but great to me. Building me up and just giving me confidence."

Purdy is entering just his fourth season in the NFL this year, but he credited Samuel for much of the maturity and comfort he's shown since becoming the 49ers' starter.

"In games, we fed off each other's energy and building each other up. It was awesome," Purdy said. "And over the last couple of years, same thing. We created such a great relationship. He's my brother.

"But, again, that's just how this business goes. I hope he goes to Washington and kills it and does great. Anytime you give Deebo the ball, you never know what can happen... He's got a lot of great ball in front of him."

Those final remarks about his buddy Samuel may raise the eyebrows of some fans, as rumors coming out of the nation's capital this spring suggested that Deebo had lost a step in speed and explosion. That may not be the case, but Niners fans would believe it as they experienced underwhelming performances from him over the last few years.

Purdy and the 49ers' receiving corps enter a youthful era this season, especially with star wideout Brandon Aiyuk out with injury for the first quarter of the schedule.

Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall will be depended on greatly this year along with superstar tight end George Kittle and a healthy Christian McCaffrey-charged run game.