Deebo Samuel vows to return to elite status next season after a dip in 2022.
During a Tuesday news conference, the 49ers wideout said he was “awful” last season. He also admitted he struggled to watch his tape.
“Just going through the tape, it was, ‘Look how sluggish you look, and, like, how bad you look on tape,'” Samuel said. “Like I said, what happened last offseason kind of played a big role in that. I’ll never put nothing like that on tape again.”
Last offseason, Samuel didn’t participate in any on-field activities during mandatory mini-camp or training camp until he signed a four-year, $71.5M deal. He possibly made a mistake skipping the drills since he wasn’t as sharp last season.
Samuel missed four games with ankle and hamstring injuries. In 13 games, he recorded 864 scrimmage yards and scored five TDs compared to 1,770 scrimmage yards and 14 TDs in 2021, when he earned first-team All-Pro honors.
The decline may have disappointed the 49ers because they probably expected Samuel to have another dominant season after giving him a rewarding contract.
However, Samuel critiquing himself and taking accountability is a good sign.
“I know he’s going to try to have a better year this year, which I appreciate,” 49ers Pro Bowl tight end George Kittle said Tuesday. “Because if Deebo’s trying to be better, that’s only good for the Niners.”
Samuel recapturing his 2021 form would be ideal for San Francisco because it could have a top-five offense. The loaded unit includes stars such as running back Christian McCaffrey, and it finished sixth in scoring last season.
