Will the 49ers Continue to see the 2021 Version of Deebo Samuel?

What Deebo Samuel did in 2021 can only best be described as magical.

Whether it was as a receiver or a running back, it didn't matter. Samuel was a unicorn that carried the 49ers' offense that year. Without him they do not go as far as the NFC Championship game. However, he was a shell of himself in 2022.

The explosive plays took a significant drop down. There were even arguments being made that he mailed it in as soon as he got paid. Various factors came into play for why Samuel wasn't close to his 2021 version last year, and I think ultimately that was taken for granted. To expect Samuel to replicate that year would be unfair. It was that special of a performance. Well, I may have spoken too soon.

He may not be able to be that version for an entire season, but he clearly is able to tap into it for a portion of it. Samuel has looked like his 2021 magical self in the 49ers' last two games. The offense was already an unfair one with all their star players, but for them to get Samuel the unicorn with the playoffs nearing will surely see them to a Super bowl. It's just a matter of if he'll be able to sustain it.

So, will the 49ers continue to see the 2021 version of Samuel?

I believe so. Samuel was extremely upset, angered, and annoyed with himself from last season. He went as far as to call it an "awful" year for him, which in comparison to 2021, it was. Now we are seeing that Samuel wasn't just all talk.

“This year, since coming back from an injury, I can see the level of play just getting better and better week in and week out. I just take it one day at a time, [and try] to be the best me I can be for the team.” said Samuel.

He is backing up his words with action. And while it took until the last quarter of the season for him to showcase that, the fact that he can channel it at such a crucial stage of the year takes the 49ers to another level. It's something that hasn't surprised Kyle Shanahan at all.

"I thought Deebo came into this season very ready to go," said Shanahan. "I thought he was looking really good those first couple weeks. He didn't have all the stats to show it, but that was just the way the ball went, but he was really ready to go. Then he had a huge setback with his injuries which took him a while to get back from him and when he did, it still took some time to get back in the football shape. But starting a few weeks ago you could see it and I think he's at the top of his game right now.”

It's more than what he does with the ball in his hand or pre-snap. Samuel is locking in to everything on each play, which could be part of what is fueling his momentum.

“I feel like he's just more intent with the little things," said Brock Purdy. "And then, obviously his effort when he is not getting the ball, carrying out fakes to open up Christian [McCaffrey] or play-action pass, he's doing it right.... He came back this year in great shape, looking good and then has given everything to this team. So, very proud of him. And obviously when you do get him the ball, he's the same old Deebo, makes plays.”

There is very little to doubt Samuel reverting back to being just a decoy again. He is a player that defenses will have to account for heavily again and likely make the primary focus to slow down. Best part of it all is if Samuel is struggling to get it going that he has others who can make a defense play for it. 2021 Samuel is here to stay, which makes a Super Bowl appearance and victory this year significantly more likely.