Analysts and fans of the NFL have already labeled the weakest quarterback link ahead of the Conference Championship schedule on Sunday: the non-first-round pick Brock Purdy.
Deebo Samuel, however, has grown tired of the hate directed toward the San Francisco 49ers’ 2022 seventh-round selection, and he turned to social media to put one notable national analyst on blast.
Deebo Samuel Puts Media on Blast While Defending Brock Purdy
Jared Goff, Patrick Mahomes, and Lamar Jackson are heading to their conference title games as quarterbacks who went between No. 1 and No. 32 in their draft class. Purdy, as NFL fans know, fell to the final pick of the draft as “Mr. Irrelevant.”
Despite taking the 49ers to two straight NFC title game appearances as the starter, many voices believe that Purdy isn’t cut out to be a championship-level passer. ESPN’s Ryan Clark criticized Purdy on Monday morning.
Samuel took to Instagram to say to watch the tape on Purdy while playing a clip of Clark ripping his passer.
“Never seen so much hate for a qb that lead the league in almost every category y’all folks be bugging,” Samuel shared on his IG story on Monday. “That [tape] don’t tell no lies.”
#49ers Deebo Samuel defends Brock Purdy:
“Never seen so much hate for a QB that lead the league in almost every category y’all folks be buggin frfr. That tape don’t tell lies” pic.twitter.com/yw8EfsSAZ1
— 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙎𝙁𝙉𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨 (@TheSFNiners)
Samuel was unable to finish the win over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday with a shoulder injury. He’s since been labeled with a “50-50” chance to play on Sunday, but he was on the sidelines watching Purdy help lead S.F. to the final scoring drive in the 24-21 home win.
San Francisco 49ers Fans React to Purdy Backlash
Samuel has his backers for defending Purdy: the 49er Faithful.
Fans took to social media to defend their quarterback — with some believing the criticism will only fuel Purdy ahead of their matchup with the Detroit Lions and can convince Samuel to suit up amid his injury.
“Well hopes that will motivate him to play on Sunday,” one fan said of Samuel on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Another 49ers fan helped opt for a two-word message directed at Purdy.
“Two words for Brock Purdy…silence them. Let’s Go Niners!!” the fan posted.
Meanwhile, one 49ers fan didn’t hesitate to call out the former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Clark.
“Crazy how Ryan Clark talks like he was a dude when he played. He was easily the weakest link on those Steelers defenses. BY FAR,” the fan posted.
49ers Dodge Disaster With Samuel, Per Kyle Shanahan
While fans will be fixated to see if Purdy can lead the 49ers back to the Super Bowl, other fans are wondering about the health status of Samuel.
Again, Samuel ended up leaving the game early on Saturday and was ruled out by halftime. Many members of the 49er Faithful feared Samuel sustained a break in his shoulder.
Kyle Shanahan, however, informed the media on Monday that the Niners have dodged disaster involving their “wide back.” Samuel didn’t suffer a broken ailment.
MORE: What Is Brock Purdy’s Contract? Salary and Bonuses Explored for Young 49ers QB
“A good sign,” Shanahan told Bay Area reporters ahead of the NFC title game.
Yet, that doesn’t officially mean Samuel will be guaranteed to be good to go for the Lions/49ers contest at Levi’s Stadium.
“It’s still hurting too much for us to know how it will heal up this week,” Shanahan said. “They’ll see how he is on Wednesday and will have a better idea of his chances for the game.”
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