49ers wideout Deebo Samuel is arguably one of the most versatile players in the NFL. While many players prefer to let their talents speak in between the white lines, Samuel has never been shy from making headlines off the field.
In an interview with Zion Olojede of Complex, the fifth-year player didn’t hold back from going on the record to state that the Eagles are his new “most hated team.”
After previously stating that the Rams were the team he hated most, Samuel has flipped his disdain to the team from Broad Street. “I mean hey man, we done wiped the Rams so many times,” said Samuel. “All the trash talk coming from the Eagles fan base and the players, you just get tired of that. My most hated team is the Eagles right now. 100%.”
When it comes to the Philadelphia Eagles, there is no love lost from Deebo Samuel 😳
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) May 4, 2023
LINK TO HIS FULL INTERVIEW WITH COMPLEX: https://t.co/xhKv10H60H pic.twitter.com/Z6ExkgUKVr
The 49ers lost their top two quarterbacks Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo to season-ending injuries prior to the playoffs. Rookie Brock Purdy stepped in under center and went on to win his first seven starts in the NFL.
However, in the NFC championship game, the 49ers were blown out 31–7 by Philadelphia. While Eagles fans may feel differently, Samuel believes things would have been different if Purdy didn’t suffer a serious injury to his throwing elbow on the team’s opening drive.
“We lost because we played with 10 people,” added Samuel. “I ain’t going to keep going on about what could’ve happened and what would’ve happened but yeah, it would’ve definitely been a different outcome.”
In looking ahead to the 2023 season, the wideout who has 26 touchdowns in his first 51 games in the NFL believes avoiding injuries is the key to the 49ers winning it all.
"We just gotta stay healthy, man," Samuel said. "We stay healthy and the sky's the limit."
Oddsmakers at SI Sportsbook are in agreement with Samuel, installing the 49ers (+300) as slight favorites over the Eagles (+333) in conference futures to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas.
If they meet a stacked Eagles team in the postseason once again, there will be no love lost, particularly from Samuel.
