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always wants to beat the competition and see his San Francisco 49ers come out on top. However, there is one rival that sits atop his ranking of most-hated teams, and it probably won't come as a surprise to fans. It's the one team that raises his competitive nature and one to which he has never lost a regular-season game.
"I hate the Rams, like, with a passion," Samuel told Kevin Hart on the comedian's "Cold as Balls" video series for the Laugh Out Loud Network.
Samuel had a bit of a feud with Los Angeles Rams star defensive lineman Aaron Donald, who admits to loathing the 49ers.
"
I dislike the Niners. Everybody knows that," Donald told NFL Network last offseason. "I don't like the Niners at all. They don't like us. It's just the rivals. Every time we play, it's a dog fight, and that's how it is. No love at all towards them guys."
Donald was asked about Samuel following a Rams loss to the 49ers in 2020. His response went viral.
"Who?
Who's that?" Donald asked the reporter during the post-game presser.
Samuel believes the 49ers are a team that responds with their play on the field, not by providing viral quotes.
"We're not a team to go out in the media and be like, 'Who is this person? What this person do?' We just put the pads on and go to work," Samuel told NFL Network last year. "... It's a big rivalry. That's one of them physical games you know you got to get ready for."
Losing your QB in the NFC Championship Game
Samuel also shared his thoughts on losing quarterback
Brock Purdy in the NFC Championship Game, which might have cost the 49ers a trip to the Super Bowl.
San Francisco started its season with Trey Lance as QB1. Lance went down in Week 2 with a season-ending ankle injury, thrusting Jimmy Garoppolo into the starting lineup. That ended in Week 13 when Garoppolo suffered a broken foot, launching Purdy's storybook run.
In the NFC title game, Purdy suffered a tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow against the Philadelphia Eagles.
"You never expect a team to get to the third quarterback, but overall, the way he handled everything, it was outstanding," Samuel told Hart, an Eagles fan.
After Purdy went down early in the game, Samuel and the 49ers didn't know the severity of the injury.
"It was so crazy," Samuel said. "At that time, it wasn't too much like conversation because we thinking he about to come back out because he probably got nicked up. So we find out Purdy's down. Like, for the rest of the game, he can't throw the ball past five yards, not even five yards.
"So whatever it takes—if we got to go back to 1950, three yards a carry right up the middle all game—this is what it's going to have to be. We can't throw it. Then you got [RB]
Christian [McCaffrey] coming to huddle with a quarterback wristband, and we're just like ... we got Purdy in the game. He could barely take the handoff."
Samuel added, "Like, what were we supposed to do? You've got to be thankful for just being in that moment."
When asked about the possibility of wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk not being on the San Francisco 49ers roster on Friday morning, general manager John Lynch responded, "I wouldn't anticipate that."
Lynch assured reporters that signing Aiyuk to a long-term extension is a priority, stating, "And our wish is that he's here and a part of the Niners for the rest of his career. We're working through that."
While Lynch didn't elaborate on the conversations occurring behind closed doors, Michael Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that a potential trade remains a
Amidst swirling trade rumors surrounding Brandon Aiyuk, the speculation surrounding Deebo Samuel's future with the San Francisco 49ers seems to have quieted down.
According to Michael Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle, the 49ers have assured Samuel that he will not be involved in any pre- or post-draft transactions, ensuring his place on the roster for the time being.
"Samuel, who signed a three-year, $71.55 million extension before the 2022 season, has been assured by his bosses that he will not be dealt during or after the draft," Silver reported, citing a source familiar with the discussions.
Earlier in the
With the 2024 NFL Draft less than a week away, it's common for the rumor mill to start churning, especially with players who are actively seeking a new contract. It was just two short years ago that WR Deebo Samuel requested a trade from the San Francisco 49ers prior to draft day, only for cooler heads to prevail and eventually agree to a new deal.
Now, it's WR Brandon Aiyuk's turn to try and get paid and rumors surfaced over the weekend that he too would request to be dealt. While that report was quickly shot down by his agent, there's still a lot of discussion about Aiyuk's future and if other teams will come calling on draft night.
Legendary columnist Mike Silver joined
ESPN insider Adam Schefter recently shared his insights on the situation surrounding San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk during an appearance on the network's "NFL Live" show. Schefter clarified that while Aiyuk would like to remain with the 49ers, his priority is securing a contract that reflects his value, regardless of the team.
When questioned about Aiyuk's desire to stay with the team that selected him in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Schefter responded, "Well, I think his desire to get paid is greater than his desire to stay in San Francisco, wherever that is. If the 49ers want to pay him, I'm sure he'd love to stay in San Francisco. If another team would like to pay him, I'm sure he'd like to go
