This offseason has been a whirlwind for the San Francisco 49ers. After going from an overtime loss in Super Bowl 58 to six wins in the 2024 season, the entire roster underwent a significant overhaul, with trades coming left and right. However, one of the biggest deals of the summer was the loss of Deebo Samuel.
Traded to the Washington Commanders, Samuel was a crucial part of the unit that made San Francisco such a dangerous offense. And the former Mr. Irrelevant, Brock Purdy, firmly understands the contributions the “wide back” made for the team. As a result, he did not take the trade lightly.
Why Did Brock Purdy React So Strongly to the Deebo Samuel Trade?
Coming in as the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, it didn’t seem likely that Purdy would reach the levels he has today. Taking over the starting quarterback job midway through his rookie season after Jimmy Garoppolo was out with an injury, he was immediately sensational.
Leading them to a 5-0 record, he carried them into the playoffs, but an injury to Purdy’s right elbow ended the 49ers’ season in the NFC Championship Game. The following season, he returned as an even better player, earning fringe MVP consideration, but ultimately finished fourth in the voting.
Leading San Francisco to a 12-5 record, he led them back to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2020, with multiple comeback victories throughout the postseason. However, a notable reason for his success was the quality of talent around him.
Not only was he surrounded by another MVP candidate in Christian McCaffrey, but he also had an elite receiving group featuring the likes of Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle, and Samuel.
In that 2023 season, Samuel added 892 yards and seven receiving touchdowns through the air while also running for 225 yards and five touchdowns. However, his numbers took a serious hit in 2024, eventually leading to San Francisco trading him over the summer.
Now, during an appearance on the “Bussin’ With The Boys” podcast, Purdy made it clear that he wasn’t a fan of the decision. “It sucks, dude,” he began. “He’s my boy. I love Deebo. Day One, he’s always had my back and believed in me when I got in.”
At the time, the last pick in the 2022 draft had doubts about how the group would perceive his elevation. But it was Samuel who embraced him with open arms. “Deebo, man, was nothing but great to me. Building me up and just giving me confidence.”
That relationship didn’t just exist on the sidelines. As Purdy recounted, it also affected their game on the field. “In games, we fed off each other’s energy and building each other up. It was awesome.”
However, in 2025, Purdy walks in with a ton of expectations but without the same auxiliary pieces around him. After all the offseason trades, the 49ers’ plan became clear when they agreed on a five-year extension for the former Pro Bowler worth $265 million.
Now paid like one of the top quarterbacks in the league, the expectation in the Bay Area has to be for Purdy to elevate the 49ers back into a playoff contender, even without a star-studded cast.
