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Niners QB Brock Purdy says 'it sucks' losing WR Deebo Samuel: 'He's always had my back'

Brock Purdy isn't looking forward to life after Deebo Samuel.

The now-highly paid San Francisco 49ers quarterback detailed in a recent interview with the "Bussin With The Boys" podcast how Samuel welcomed him when he took over for Jimmy Garoppolo in 2022. It's a relationship the QB will miss following the wideout's trade to Washington this offseason.

"It sucks, dude. He's my boy," Purdy said, via 49ers Web Zone. "I love Deebo. Day one, he's always had my back and believed in me when I got in. I didn't really know how the guys were going to take it when I did get thrown in. Jimmy went down; I was the last quarterback, and Deebo was nothing but just great to me, dude, building me up, and just giving me confidence."

Samuel's production dwindled following his 2021 Pro Bowl season with Purdy under center, as he failed to reach the 900-yard receiving mark in any of the past three campaigns. However, Purdy still viewed him as a vital piece of the Niners' passing offense.

"In games, we fed off each other's energy and building each other up," the QB said. "It was awesome, and over the last couple of years, same thing. So, we created just a great relationship. He's my brother."

In addition to the Samuel trade, Purdy will have to get used to life without Brandon Aiyuk for at least a bit longer, as the injured receiver isn't expected to be ready for the start of the season. In their stead, the Niners will lean on Jauan Jennings, second-year first-rounder Ricky Pearsall, free-agent addition Demarcus Robinson and fourth-round rookie Jordan Watkins as the top targets to open training camp later this month.