Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Deebo Samuel says 49ers losing Jimmy Garoppolo ‘is pretty big,’ but is confident in Brock Purdy, Trey Lance
On Wednesday, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Deebo Samuel spoke with USA Today in Arizona ahead of this weekend's Super Bowl 57 clash between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs. It could have featured Samuel and his 49ers had rookie quarterback
Brock Purdy not suffered a tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow early in the NFC Championship Game.
"
It hurts losing that game, but it didn't hurt as bad as it should, if that makes sense," Samuel said via Cydney Henderson. "What were you supposed to do in a moment like that? We didn't want our season to end that way. If anything, we wanted to put up a fight instead of not having a chance."
During Week 13, Purdy replaced Garoppolo, who suffered a broken foot. Garoppolo had replaced
Trey Lance, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury during Week 2. Next season, the quarterback room will be missing one of those names. Last week, head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that he
couldn't envision a scenario where Garoppolo returns in 2023.
The veteran quarterback is scheduled to become a free agent on March 15.
"Being around Jimmy for four years and being around the league for the last four years, you see a lot," Samuel shared. "People come in, people leave, people get cut. Not only just Jimmy, we have a few free agents on our team, which no team is going to look exactly the same. But losing Jimmy is pretty big."
That doesn't mean Samuel lacks faith in Purdy or Lance, two very different quarterbacks. With Purdy
scheduled to undergo surgery on February 22, Lance will have the offseason, perhaps uncontested, to prove himself capable of starting next season.
"What makes Trey so special is … he can use his feet," Samuel said. "He is kind of that dual-threat quarterback. He can put that fear in you running. What makes Purdy so special is that he's so decisive. He's poised, and he's not afraid to mess up ... Purdy can move around a little bit too."
Samuel added: "It's going to be a competitive match, and the coach (Kyle Shanahan) is going to make the best decision for the team."
LISTEN
Facebook Comments
More San Francisco 49ers News
Javon Hargrave: 49ers-Eagles would have been a different game with a healthy Brock Purdy
Everything changed in the NFC Championship Game when quarterback Brock Purdy exited early with an injury. He eventually returned because his backup, Josh Johnson, exited with a concussion. Purdy could not throw, though. He suffered a tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow, leaving the San Francisco 49ers to become one-dimensional, abandoning the pass and depending solely on the run game.
For fans, it was a difficult game to watch. Everyone anticipated a more evenly matched battle between the two best teams in the NFC. Instead, they got an Eagles powerhouse defense going against a limping 49ers offense.
"We kind of knew it was going to be different when all you can do is run the ball," former Eagles defensive tackle Javon Hargrave said
Jimmy Garoppolo thanks 49ers; George Kittle bids farewell to former teammates
There have been a lot of goodbyes over the last few days. The San Francisco 49ers said goodbye to several players. Jimmy Garoppolo, Mike McGlinchey, Emmanuel Moseley, and many others moved on to new NFL homes, signing deals with other teams in free agency.
Garoppolo is the newest quarterback of the Las Vegas Raiders. On Friday, he spoke to Raiders reporters for the first time, first sharing a message to his team of the past five-and-a-half seasons (h/t Angelina Martin of NBC Sports Bay Area).
"I just want to thank the Yorks, thank the 49ers for everything that they've done," Garoppolo told reporters after wishing them a happy St.
Texans, Raiders expected to pursue 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo in free agency
Soon-to-be former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is expected to be in good demand when free agency kicks off on Wednesday. That demand will start today, actually. NFL teams can begin contract negotiations with impending free-agent players from other teams starting at 9 a.m. PT.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Garoppolo can expect to receive some phone calls from the Houston Texans and the Las Vegas Raiders, the two teams anticipated to pursue the veteran quarterback. Garoppolo has familiarity with both coaching staffs. He was with Raiders coach Josh McDaniels in New England and Texans coach DeMeco Ryans in San Francisco.
Another team that could be interested in the quarterback is the New York Jets. However, they are also reportedly interested
Raiders signing former 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo to a 3-year, $72.75 million deal
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter and Dianna Russini, the Las Vegas Raiders are signing former San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback and unrestricted free agent Jimmy Garoppolo to a three-year deal. The move reunites Garoppolo with Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels, the former New England Patriots offensive coordinator (2006-08, 2012-21).
Former 49ers' QB Jimmy Garoppolo is signing with the Las Vegas Raiders, per @diannaESPN and me. Garoppolo played for Raiders' HC Josh McDaniels in New England and they now reunite in Las Vegas.— Adam
