New Commanders signing already facing public backlash (and it's not deserved)

The NFL is a fickle business. It a what have you done for me lately league, and fortunes can alter in the blink of an eye.

That's been the case with a major Washington Commanders acquisition this offseason. And the public backlash centered on Deebo Samuel Sr. has been glaring almost from the moment he landed in the NFC East.

The Commanders took a chance on Samuel, giving up a fifth-round selection to the San Francisco 49ers to seal the deal. The NFC West club doesn't believe the wide receiver has much left in the tank. That's not an opinion shared by Adam Peters, who knows the player better than most.

Deebo Samuel has been unfairly criticized since bombshell trade to the Commanders

And yet, the criticism came from every turn surrounding the trade. Bill Simmons kicked things off by accusing the Niners of taking a Day 3 pick just for Samuel to not be their responsibility when he completely falls off the proverbial performance cliff.

San Francisco was like ‘yeah, we’re good, take him.' That dude’s body’s been through a lot … I watch football every week. Deebo [Samuel] took a (expletive) ton of hits. The way they used him, he was like a crash test dummy. And I just wonder if (the 49ers) were like, ‘I think we took this as far as we can go.’ Like if it starts to dip, it could be on somebody else’s team.Bill Simmons via Heavy

If that wasn't enough, accusations about poor conditioning, a bad attitude, and sluggish early performances during Washington's offseason program also reared their head. This vitriol isn't deserved, and it should have added plenty of fuel to Samuel's desire as he looks to silence his doubters.

It's easy to forget that Samuel was, and could still be, among the league's most explosive playmakers. His down year with the Niners last season was concerning, but the Commanders' big ambitions and the added incentive of a contract year could see a return to his old form quickly.

This is the fresh start Samuel was looking for. It's a chance to help a progressing contender take the next step into the Super Bowl. It's a chance to help quarterback sensation Jayden Daniels reach even greater heights. It's a chance for the South Carolina product to remind the world who he is.

The fire has been lit under Samuel again. You can sense the urgency in his demeanor and overall approach. That's only going to help the Commanders' offense become an even more dominant force next time around.

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