SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Given more than four months to reflect on how he performed in the 2022 season, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel minced no words in his assessment.
“It was awful,” Samuel said.
In what way?
“Every aspect.”
After a breakout 2021 season, Samuel spent most of last offseason embroiled in a contract standoff with the 49ers that included an unfulfilled trade request. The 49ers held firm to Samuel, opting not to deal him despite overtures from other teams at last year’s NFL draft.
The sides eventually came together, with Samuel signing a three-year extension worth up to $73.5 million in early August. The deal got done, but the fallout, according to Samuel, carried over to the field.
Samuel acknowledged Tuesday that the contract negotiations were a distraction during the offseason and shouldered the blame for not returning to the team in good shape, noting that he felt sluggish as early as training camp practices.
After posting 1,770 scrimmage yards and 14 total touchdowns on his way to a first-team All-Pro selection in 2021, Samuel’s numbers dipped to 864 scrimmage yards and five total touchdowns in 2022. Samuel also missed four games with injuries, including a sprained ankle that cost him the final three games of the regular season.
Samuel and coach Kyle Shanahan sat down recently to watch tape of Samuel’s 2022 season,…
