Commanders WR Deebo Samuel Faces Viral Criticism, Former Teammate Defends

Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel has faced scrutiny after a minicamp video sparked concerns about his weight gain and decreased speed, drawing unfavorable comparisons to former NFL player Eddie Lacy. Samuel, acquired from the San Francisco 49ers in March and signed to a three-year, $71.5 million extension, is expected to play a crucial role alongside Terry McLaurin in a potent offense led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Despite the criticism, including reports that he was 20 pounds overweight during the 2024 season, Samuel has three months before the regular season to address these concerns. His former teammate, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, defended him publicly, explaining that some slower movements in practice are part of group installations rather than indicators of poor conditioning. Samuel’s unique dual-threat abilities as a receiver and rusher make him a key piece for the Commanders' Super Bowl aspirations, with fans and analysts watching closely to see if he can return to his elite form.