49ers Deebo Samuel in best shape since 2019 season
Deebo Samuel described his performance last season as "sluggish". This offseason, he has taken significant steps to ensure his efforts in 2023 will be anything but. Samuel raised some eyebrows during offseason workouts when he labeled his 2022 as "awful in every aspect". His assessment came after a tape session with head coach Kyle Shanahan, […]
Deebo Samuel described his performance last season as "sluggish". This offseason, he has taken significant steps to ensure his efforts in 2023 will be anything but.
Samuel raised some eyebrows during offseason workouts when he labeled his 2022 as "awful in every aspect".
His assessment came after a tape session with head coach Kyle Shanahan, who has been the recipient of constant workout videos from Samuel as the wide receiver began his preparations for a bounce-back year.
Said Shanahan at Tuesday's press conference:
"Never had a grown man send me so many pictures with his shirt off, but it looks good. I can tell he put the work in, so I know you guys heard him that day. That’s the last time I really heard him, but I see better than I hear. Deebo is in a really good spot, and I’m really excited for Deebo this year."
Samuel echoed his coach's words when asked about his physical condition after Wednesday's opening practice of training camp.
"I’d say this is probably the best shape that I’ve been in since the 2019 year. You know, you got that long time of working out, a long time of preparation. I took them 40 days away and really got to it and got to where I wanted to be."
That is quite a statement for Samuel to make. He was crucial figure in the 49ers' Super Bowl run in 2019, but that is a long way from the best season of his career.
Samuel was an All-Pro in 2021 during a spectacular season in which he fueled the 49ers' surge to the NFC Championship Game. He racked up a remarkable 1,770 yards from scrimmage and 14 touchdowns, eight of which came on the ground in a single-season record for wide receivers.
For him to say he is in better shape than in that campaign should serve as an ominous warning across the league.
Even when supposedly sluggish last season, Samuel still led the NFL with nine yards after catch per reception, if his comments on his physical shape this year are more than just preseason bluster, he could be primed to deliver another monstrous campaign playing in arguably the NFL's most talented offense.
49ers WR Deebo Samuel admits to ‘awful’ 2022 season
The 49ers wideout didn’t hold back when talking about his 2022 performance.
Featured Image Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
