The San Francisco 49ers entered the 2024 season with high hopes, aiming to bounce back after their second Super Bowl loss during the Kyle Shanahan era. However, the team again fell short of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. The most recent loss hit especially hard for one veteran player who experienced both devastating defeats.
"Not gonna lie, losing the Super Bowl, it puts you in depression," Samuel shared during an appearance on The St. Brown Podcast (via CBS Sports). "You go months without talking to people, wanting to be seen… Losing the Super Bowl is one of the worst feelings ever."
Both of the 49ers' Super Bowl losses came at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs, leaving the team questioning whether they could ever overcome their championship nemesis.
"Think about it in our position," Samuel continued. "We just went through camp, we just went through the whole season, and we got here, we lose, and now you back to work in three weeks. And you're about to do it all over again. Losing the Super Bowl is crazy. I lost in the Super Bowl twice to the same team."
While the team hoped to use the offseason to regroup and return to the big stage, the 2024 season has not gone as planned.
The 49ers have endured a challenging, injury-riddled campaign marked by costly mistakes, eliminating them from playoff contention in Week 16. With a disappointing 6-10 record, the team has fallen far short of expectations, and Samuel's underwhelming performance this season has raised questions about his future.
The star wideout has managed just 670 receiving yards, marking his fifth season out of six failing to reach 900 yards. His four total touchdowns—three receiving and one rushing—are his fewest since 2020, fueling speculation about his role moving forward.
Samuel's pain of another missed opportunity lingers as he potentially faces an uncertain offseason and future.