Whether it’s been in practice or on the sidelines at Levi's Stadium, Deebo Samuel and Brock Purdy have been chatting a lot in between drives this preseason.
The duo looks to be on the same page this summer, as Deebo wants to re-assert himself as one of the best receivers in the game following his self-described “awful” 2022 campaign. He wants to get back to being the dual-threat superstar he was in 2021, when he led the league with 18.2 yards per reception and set an NFL receiver record with eight rushing touchdowns.
In his preseason debut Saturday, which lasted one drive, Deebo hauled in two passes from Purdy and rumbled his way to 39 yards. In Monday’s practice, Deebo and Purdy were clicking again, according to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner.
After admittedly being out of shape last season and letting his contract situation affect his game, Deebo was playing catch-up all last season and failed to produce at his expected level, with just 864 total yards and five total touchdowns.
Samuel has shown up to camp leaner this season and explained how it’s helped him on field.
“A little more speed and little bit more power,” Deebo told reporters Monday. “Overall, it felt good to get out there and get a plays under my belt to get ready for the season. … For stamina and being able to go longer. I was going 1 or 2 plays and then coming out. Durability and the way I’ve built the capacity to keep going.”
The more coach Kyle Shanahan can mix Deebo with Christian McCaffrey and the Niners’ other offensive weapons, the better.
Deebo is growing in other ways, too, as he has taken rookie receiver Ronnie Bell as an understudy and helped him shine in the preseason.
“I talk to Kyle about this alot. I’m not a rah-rah type guy,” Deebo said. “I’m the kinda guy to lead by example. I kinda keep it calm, not too hard on everybody. At the end of the day, we know we got a job and we gotta get it done.”
Deebo’s tutelage hasn’t gone unnoticed by his coach, as the 27-year-old Samuel is about to enter his fifth year in the league and begin his three-year, $71.5 million extension.
“Deebo is always a guy who people respect,” Shanahan said. “I mean, from how he plays to how he carries himself. So, a lot of guys look up to Deebo, but yeah, he has been great this year. Everyone knows how he's come back and been ready to go and the way he's practiced and I think the way he's treated all those guys has definitely taken a step forward in that way.”
All signs point to Deebo having another big campaign for the Niners after last year’s disappointment.
