San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel is well aware of the criticism surrounding his quarterback, Brock Purdy. It was Samuel who informed Purdy about FS1 host Colin Cowherd's strange claim that Purdy can't be a franchise quarterback simply because he occasionally wears his hat backward.
"I've got my news sources in the locker room with some of the guys," Purdy said of that particular criticism. "We laugh about it, and we know what's real and what matters most."
Samuel understands the doubts. After all, it can be challenging to evaluate Purdy's abilities when so many elite playmakers surround him. Is the quarterback or those around him responsible for the team's success?
"Some people still don't think he's the guy because he's on the Niners, that he's (just) with us," Samuel told DJ Siddiqi in an interview with RG.org. "Overall, the numbers don't lie. He still has to throw the ball down the field. We still have to be in a position to catch the ball. He still has to make the right reads. He still has to do all the things a quarterback has to do.
"I don't feed into it (the media criticism). He doesn't feed into it. We control the things that we can control and go out there and play."
Despite the skepticism, Samuel feels some of the criticism is unjust. Purdy, the final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, has consistently exceeded expectations. In less than two seasons as the starter, he has led the 49ers to two NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl appearance. Last season, his teammates recognized that their success wouldn't have been possible without Purdy steering the offense.
"I think people look at the guys that he has around him - me, Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk, Juszczyk and Christian McCaffrey," Samuel said. "Look at other teams as well with Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams. You're not going to say A-Rod is not a quarterback if you take Davante Adams from him. I think it's also because it's just the Niners. I don't think too many people want to give proper credit because of who he has around."
While Purdy may not yet have earned the respect of everyone, his performance in 2024 could silence his critics and solidify his status among the NFL's elite. To his teammates, though, there's no question about his talent.
"Overall, I think the man is just the most efficient that I've seen," Samuel concluded.
