What Deebo Samuel did in 2021 can only best be described as magical.
Whether it was as a receiver or a running back, it didn’t matter. Samuel was a unicorn that carried the 49ers’ offense that year. Without him they do not go as far as the NFC Championship game. However, he was a shell of himself in 2022.
The explosive plays took a significant drop down. There were even arguments being made that he mailed it in as soon as he got paid. Various factors came into play for why Samuel wasn’t close to his 2021 version last year, and I think ultimately that was taken for granted. To expect Samuel to replicate that year would be unfair. It was that special of a performance. Well, I may have spoken too soon.
He may not be able to be that version for an entire season, but he clearly is able to tap into it for a portion of it. Samuel has looked like his 2021 magical self in the 49ers’ last two games. The offense was already an unfair one with all their star players, but for them to get Samuel the unicorn with the playoffs nearing will surely see them to a Super bowl. It’s just a matter of if he’ll be able to sustain it.
So, will the 49ers continue to see the 2021 version of Samuel?
