Former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice, widely regarded as the greatest receiver in NFL history, did not mince words when critiquing current Niners wideout Deebo Samuel. Rice’s tough talk came during an appearance on 95.7 The Game’s “The Morning Roast,” where he addressed the recent underwhelming performance from Samuel in the team’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Samuel, who was limited to just three receptions for 16 yards in that game, had previously expressed frustration over his lack of touches. However, Rice made it clear that if you’re going to complain about not getting enough opportunities, you have to make the most of the ones you do get—especially when they come your way. The 49ers legend highlighted a costly drop by Samuel as a prime example of where the young receiver needs to improve.
“I don’t know what is going on, because the weirdest thing is I think he had like three catches for 16 yards,” Rice said. “For me, I would have been pissed. I would have been pissed at myself, I would have been pissed at the whole scenario, and I would pretty much go to work on the football field, at practice. If you do it during practice, you’re going to be able to do it during the game.”
The key moment that drew Rice’s ire was a dropped pass by Samuel—a glaring mistake after publicly complaining about insufficient touches. For Rice, it’s simple: if you’re going to call out your usage, you can’t squander the chances you do get. Otherwise, you open yourself up to criticism and doubt from fans, coaches, and teammates.
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“That ball that he dropped, after you complain about not getting that many touches, you cannot drop the football,” Rice continued. “Because everybody is going to get down on you and they’re going to come after you. I never said anything about not getting touches or anything like that. I just worked, man. I just kept working, and if you show it during practice, they’re going to make the call during the actual football game where you’re going to have opportunities to make catches, get into a rhythm, and be productive.”
Rice’s perspective carries significant weight. He knows what it means to thrive under pressure, having built a Hall of Fame career defined by unmatched consistency, discipline, and an extraordinary work ethic. His advice boils down to an old but timeless mantra: actions speak louder than words. Rather than expressing frustration publicly, Rice wants Samuel to pour his energy into perfecting his craft, eliminating errors, and showing coaches he deserves the ball.
Samuel’s current struggles are particularly disappointing given his past success. After a stellar 2021 season—when he earned All-Pro honors by posting over 1,700 yards from scrimmage and finding the end zone 14 times—he signed a three-year, $73.5 million extension with $58.1 million guaranteed in 2022.
However, injuries and inconsistencies have hampered his production over the past few years. In 2024, he’s averaging just 43.8 yards per game and has scored only twice in 13 appearances, a startling dip for a player once thought to be the cornerstone of the 49ers’ offense.
With the 49ers fighting for positioning in the competitive NFC and needing every offensive weapon firing on all cylinders, Samuel’s performance and demeanor have come under scrutiny. Rice’s critique isn’t just about one bad game or a few missed opportunities; it’s about cultivating a champion’s mindset. The legendary receiver seems to be asking: Are you putting in the necessary work each and every day to ensure your production matches your talent and your words?
As the season rolls on, Samuel will have the chance to respond. Perhaps he’ll take Rice’s advice to heart—focusing on practicing harder, catching every ball, and proving that he can handle the pressure and the spotlight.
Whether Rice’s comments are too harsh or exactly what Samuel needs is open to interpretation, but one thing is certain: the greatest wide receiver in NFL history expects excellence, and he’s not afraid to call it like he sees it.
The question now is whether Deebo Samuel will rise to the challenge. Will he use Rice’s pointed words as motivation and rededicate himself to the craft? In the NFL, talk is cheap—performance is everything. The ball is literally in Samuel’s hands, and how he responds might just define his legacy in San Francisco.
