NBC Sports Bay Area expert Matt Maiocco discusses if San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy and coach Kyle Shanahan are capable of mounting a comeback after the 49ers’ Christmas Eve loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Deebo Samuel doesn’t play when it comes to Brock Purdy.
Following former NFL MVP Cam Newton and current Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons’ disparaging remarks about Purdy following San Francisco’s Christmas night loss, the 49ers’ star wide receiver swiftly rallied around their quarterback.
Samuel made an appearance on “Up & Adams Show” every week. “First of all, Cam Newton, stop texting my phone, bro,” Samuel stated. “About two weeks ago, you were a fan. That is completely insane. I find it funny that after discussing my QB, you wanted me on your podcast.
Let us return to Micah Parsons. We defeated you [42–10] a very long time ago, bro. Why he’s so upset about what’s going on over here, or whatever the situation may be, is beyond me.”
When Newton referred to Purdy as a “game manager” earlier this month instead of a “difference maker,” it caused a stir in the NFL community. Then, on Monday, during what was perhaps the worst game of Purdy’s early career—a 33-19 loss to the Baltimore Ravens that saw him throw a career-high four interceptions—Newton posted a cunning jab on X, the platform that was formerly known as Twitter.
49ers QB Purdy explains reason for first interception vs. Ravens
Strangely, Parsons also took a go at Purdy, who has defeated the linebacker’s Cowboys twice: in the playoffs of the previous year and in October, during a 49ers thrashing at Levi’s Stadium, when he passed for four touchdowns.
Following a season in which Purdy played football deserving of an NFL MVP, Samuel explained why he thinks critics appear out of nowhere when the quarterback fails.
“The Niners are here. We have an impact on everyone,” Samuel remarked. “When things don’t go as planned, everyone is ready to assign blame and no one wants to see us succeed. We remain the greatest team in the league, as everyone is aware. The amount of effort they make to undermine him is really absurd. The man was still throwing for 255 [yards], after all.
“It’s the NFL, it’s going to happen. You can’t control how tipped balls fly 25, 30 feet in the air and just giving guys opportunities to catch them.”
Samuel has Purdy’s back, no matter what, and the rest of the NFL now realizes that.
