49ers star Brock Purdy reflects on losing ‘brother' Deebo Samuel to Commanders originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will be without one of his key weapons during the upcoming 2025 NFL season.
Deebo Samuel was traded to the Washington Commanders this offseason for a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Purdy expressed his feelings about losing Samuel on the latest “Bussin’ With The Boys” podcast on Monday.
“It sucks dude … he’s my boy,” Purdy told Will Compton. “I love Deebo … since Day 1, he’s always had my back. He believed in me when I got in.”
Mr. Irrelevant took over in Week 13 in 2022 after Jimmy Garoppolo broke his foot and was sidelined for the remainder of the season.
“I didn’t really know how the guys were gonna take it when I did get thrown in,” Purdy told Compton. “Jimmy went down, I was like the last quarterback. Deebo was just great to me, building me up, just giving me confidence. In games, we fed off each other’s energy. Building each other up, it was awesome.”
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In Purdy’s first full season as the 49ers starter in 2023, Samuel had a career-high seven touchdown receptions.
Production was down for Samuel in 2024, however. He went from 12 total touchdowns in 2023 to only four last season.
“That’s just how this business goes, I hope he goes to Washington and kills it,” Purdy told Compton. “Anytime you give Deebo the ball you never know what could happen. We created a great relationship, he’s my brother.”
Purdy will miss the connection with Samuel and will need a new primary target to gain his trust this season.
