Deebo Samuel’s 2024 Struggles: A Season to Forget

A Year of Disappointment

Deebo Samuel’s 2024 season was nothing short of a disaster. What was once a career defined by explosive plays and game-changing performances turned into a year filled with frustration, inconsistency, and underwhelming production.

His struggles were highlighted in the biggest game of the year—the Super Bowl. Despite leading the team in targets with 11, he managed only 3 catches for 33 yards. Even Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes’ go-to weapon, wasn’t targeted that much. Samuel had every opportunity to make an impact but failed to deliver.

During the regular season, things weren’t much better. Over 15 games, he caught just 51 passes for 630 yards and 3 touchdowns—pedestrian numbers for a player once considered a top offensive weapon. By the end of the season, he had fallen behind Jauan Jennings and rookie Ricky Pearsall on the 49ers’ depth chart. For a player once seen as the heart of the offense, it was a stunning decline.

Deebo Speaks Out on His Struggles

This week at the Super Bowl, Samuel sat down with Kay Adams to discuss what went wrong in 2024. He admitted it was a tough season and opened up about his frustrations.

“I went through a lot,” Samuel said. “I still want to be the player that I know I’m capable of being, but the opportunities were just not as big as I wanted them to be. Then we weren’t winning on top of that, so I’m one of the worst losers ever. I hate losing. I’m a bad loser, especially when you’re so used to winning a lot and being in a position to fight for a championship.”

Samuel’s honesty is appreciated, but his explanation feels hollow. The 49ers gave him plenty of opportunities—far more than he deserved based on his performance. He wasn’t creating separation, he wasn’t making contested catches, and he wasn’t the same dynamic player he once was. At times, it felt like the 49ers would have been better off without him on the field.

Excuses or Reality?

Samuel’s comments suggest he believes his struggles were due to a lack of opportunity rather than a decline in his own performance. But the reality is simple: when he got the ball, he didn’t do enough with it. When he didn’t get the ball, he complained.

Even his reasoning for his poor attitude—losing—doesn’t entirely hold up. After all, he sent out a tweet complaining about his lack of touches following a win. That suggests his frustrations weren’t just about team success but about his personal stats as well.

What’s Next for Deebo?

The big question now is what happens next. Can Samuel bounce back and regain his status as one of the NFL’s most dangerous offensive weapons? Or is he on a downward trajectory that the 49ers need to seriously consider before committing to him long-term?

If Samuel wants to reclaim his place as a premier playmaker, he’ll need to show more than just words—he’ll need to prove it on the field. Because if 2024 was any indication, the 49ers might already be preparing for life without him.