The San Francisco 49ers have struggled to get wide receiver Deebo Samuel involved this season, prompting sharp criticism from NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger. According to Baldinger, the 2021 All-Pro is showing concerning signs for a player expected to be a key piece of the 49ers’ offense.
“Nothing’s going on with Deebo,” Baldinger remarked on 95.7 The Game. “I mean, he doesn’t separate. He’s not getting open. There’s nothing that looks exceptional about him. We liked him in the dual role.
But why would you hand the ball off to him if you had—before this game—[RBs Christian] McCaffrey and [Jordan] Mason, who both played really well, and [RB Isaac] Guerendo? What carries do you want to take away from those guys to give it to Deebo?
You don’t. He really doesn’t have a position right now. He’s just kind of a playmaker when given the chance, but he’s not really going to be able to create a whole lot on his own by getting open.”
It’s a harsh critique, but one that’s not entirely unwarranted. Unlike most of San Francisco’s key players, who have defined roles, Samuel appears to be floating between positions without a clear identity.
Deebo Samuel’s Season So Far
After twice surpassing 1,100 yards from scrimmage in his career, Samuel is on pace for a significantly less productive season in 2024. Through 11 games, the 49ers wideout has recorded 610 total yards and is projected to finish with just 888 yards—a marginal improvement from his 2022 campaign, when he played in only 13 games.
The most alarming aspect of Samuel’s season is his diminished impact in the running game. Despite 27 rushing attempts so far, he’s averaging just 2.9 yards per carry. This is a steep decline from his earlier seasons when his dual-threat capabilities were a hallmark of San Francisco’s offense.
Baldinger’s concerns seem to echo these numbers. If Samuel is no longer a threat in the running game, his role as a multi-dimensional weapon is diminished. Whether it’s due to physical decline or opposing defenses catching on to head coach Kyle Shanahan’s schemes, the veteran receiver’s struggles are evident.
Other Critics Weigh In
Baldinger isn’t the only one calling out Samuel. Former 49ers wide receiver and Hall of Famer Terrell Owens also expressed his disappointment during an appearance on 95.7 The Game on November 21.
“Deebo is not really playing up to Deebo’s standards,” Owens said. “It seems like he’s more focused on his pregame attire than the game. If we can shift that focus, maybe that can energize and create some more production from an offensive standpoint. I’m just being tongue-in-cheek with that.”
Samuel responded to Owens’ comments with a brief and sharp post on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “T.O cut it fam!!!!”
While Owens’ remarks carried a lighter tone compared to Baldinger’s detailed analysis, both critiques highlight Samuel’s underwhelming season and his current role as a glaring issue in San Francisco’s offense.
