Deebo Samuel’s 2022 season probably wasn’t as “awful” as the wide receiver said it was, but it certainly fell short of the expectation he set during his sensational 2021 campaign where he earned First-Team All-Pro honors. Now all early signs point toward Samuel bouncing back in 2023 and looking more like he did in 2021.
The signs started with a quip from head coach Kyle Shanahan in a press conference the day before training camp started.
“I think he took one small step back (in 2022), but that doesn’t mean he can’t take two steps forward (in 2023),” Shanahan said. “And where Deebo was at, I think the last time you guys saw him showed that his mind was right to get back to that spot. And that’s what’s been real cool with him in these 40 days away. Just seeing him yesterday for the first time. Never had a grown man send me so many pictures with his shirt off, but it looks good.”
A trimmed-down version of Deebo Samuel took the field on Wednesday. No. 19 hasn’t looked this sleek since ‘19. pic.twitter.com/gCHRJnlzzd
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) July 26, 2023
Samuel spent last offseason mired in contract negotiations that also included a public trade request. He blamed some of his struggles last year to the distractions he dealt with in the offseason. This year he was more focused.
“This offseason was pretty good for me,” Samuel told reporters after Wednesday’s practice. “I think this is the best shape I’ve been in since 2019. You’ve got that long time of working out, long time of preparation, and like I took those 40 days away (after OTAs) and really got to it and got to where I wanted to be.”
A 2021 version of Samuel alongside Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey would be a significant boost to an already stacked 49ers offense. They were terrific down the stretch last year even with Samuel having a down year by his standards.
There may not be the volume available for Samuel to reach the numbers he hit in 2021, but the explosive plays that became a calling card for him should return if he is in the best shape he’s been in since his rookie season.
All of this has to translate to the field in the regular season, of course. But given Samuel’s track record it’s hard to not be optimistic that he looks the part of a superstar again this year.
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