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What did 49ers QB Brock Purdy think about losing WR Deebo Samuel?

What did 49ers QB Brock Purdy think about losing WR Deebo Samuel?

USA Today11-07-2025
Deebo Samuel would sometimes get frustrated with his role in the San Francisco 49ers offense. Ultimately, after six seasons, Samuel wanted a fresh start, and the Niners needed the cap space, so they traded him to the Washington Commanders in March.
Now, Samuel will catch passes and take handoffs from the reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, Jayden Daniels. But for the past three seasons, his quarterback was Brock Purdy. And despite Samuel's frustration at times in San Francisco, it was never with Purdy. Samuel liked playing with Purdy and the quarterback felt the same.
In a recent appearance on the "Bussin With The Boys" podcast, Purdy opened up about Samuel's departure.
"It sucks, dude," Purdy said of Samuel's departure, via Peter Panacy of Niner Noise. "He's my boy. I love Deebo."
"Day one, he's always had my back and believed in me when I got in," Purdy continued. "I didn't really know how the guys were going to take it when I did get thrown in. Jimmy [Garoppolo] went down, I was the last quarterback, and Deebo was nothing but just great to me, dude, building me up, and just giving me confidence. In games, we fed off each other's energy and building each other up. It was awesome, and over the last couple of years, same thing. So, we created just a great relationship. He's my brother."
Samuel's departure from San Francisco was handled well by both sides. Samuel and the 49ers said all the right things. However, some 49ers, including Purdy and tight end George Kittle, made their feelings on Samuel clear. Earlier this offseason, a video appeared on social media of Samuel at Washington's OTAs. The poster of the video implied that Samuel was either out of shape or not giving it all on the route. Kittle was having none of it.
While Purdy will miss Samuel, part of the reason the Niners traded the former Pro Bowl wideout was to free up money to extend the fourth-year quarterback. In addition to trading Samuel, the 49ers also moved on from several other key performers this offseason.
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