"This year, for sure," Samuel said on his Cleats & Convos podcast, via Tristi Rodriguez of NBC Sports Bay Area. "Me, personally, I want to be my best self as much as possible. As a whole, as a group, losing games that we aren't supposed to lose. We put our backs against the wall at times."
The 49ers are 5-5 following Sunday's loss to the Seattle Seahawks, with two tough road matchups ahead against the Green Bay Packers and Buffalo Bills.
Three of their five losses have come against NFC West rivals, each marked by fourth-quarter collapses after leading by at least four points. It's a puzzling outcome for a team that, not too long ago, was widely regarded as one of the most talented in the league.
"You just look at, from top to bottom, one of the best rosters in the league, and it gets frustrating because we know what we're capable of," Samuel explained. "We got to finish games. We got to be the Niners that everybody knows that we are. And it gets frustrating at times when we don't win those games, and you're like, 'Yo, why do we keep putting ourselves in these positions?'"
The 49ers have struggled without key contributors for much of the season. Star running back Christian McCaffrey missed the first eight games due to Achilles tendinitis and hasn't resembled the Offensive Player of the Year since returning. Meanwhile, quarterback Brock Purdy lost his go-to target, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, to a season-ending ACL and MCL tear on October 20.
The offense is without quarterback Brock Purdy's favorite target, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who suffered a torn ACL and MCL on October 20, ending his season.
With their postseason hopes slipping away, the 49ers face a critical stretch. Securing wins over the next two weekends is essential to keep their playoff dreams alive.
"Now, every game we play, you got to treat it like it's your last," Samuel said. "We treat every game like that [already], but it's really like, 'Yo, if we don't win this game, we'll be in some trouble.'"
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers grant Deebo Samuel permission to seek a trade; 'I have to do what's best,' says Deebo
The San Francisco 49ers have granted wide receiver Deebo Samuel and his agent permission to seek a trade, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Samuel reportedly requested a trade during his exit meetings with the team after the season. "It was a hard conversation to have with... -
Would the 49ers accept one of these trade proposals for Deebo Samuel?
Deebo Samuel appears ready to move on from the San Francisco 49ers. The wide receiver has requested a trade, and the 49ers have granted him permission to seek one. Unlike his 2022 trade request—when Samuel was fresh off a breakout season with 1,770 scrimmage yards and 14... -
Former NFL player: 49ers could be better off without Deebo Samuel
Deebo Samuel has been a dynamic weapon in Kyle Shanahan's offense, offering versatility as both a receiver and a ball carrier. In 2021, he showcased his abilities by posting 1,770 scrimmage yards and 14 total touchdowns. However, since that standout season, Samuel has... -
Schefter: All AFC North teams make sense as Deebo Samuel trade partners for 49ers
On Sunday morning, ESPN's Adam Schefter broke the news that the San Francisco 49ers have permitted wide receiver Deebo Samuel to seek a trade. Any deal would face significant financial hurdles. If the 49ers trade Samuel before June 1, they would incur a dead-cap hit twice the...