George Kittle slams critics as Deebo Samuel’s weight sparks backlash over ‘lazy’ minicamp footage

As the NFL offseason continues, a single route run by San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel during minicamp has sparked widespread reaction online. A video showing Samuel’s seemingly slow movement during a drill quickly went viral, triggering criticism from fans and analysts.

However, tight end George Kittle has publicly come to his teammate’s defence, calling the scrutiny unwarranted.

Viral video triggers criticism, but George Kittle calls it overblown

The video, circulated by popular NFL pages on social media, led to questions about Samuel’s fitness and commitment—particularly with trade rumors surrounding the 28-year-old wideout.

However, Kittle addressed the issue on the Sports Seriously podcast, stating that Samuel remains one of the league’s most unique and versatile threats.

Kittle highlighted Samuel’s proven ability to play multiple roles across the offense and his unmatched yards-after-catch skills. “Debo is one of the most unique players in the NFL. He's one of the best guys with the ball in his hands,” he said, adding that isolated practice clips don’t reflect his actual game performance.

49ers’ unity evident amid offseason speculation

While speculation linking Samuel to teams like the Patriots and Steelers continues to grow, Kittle’s comments reflect the internal support the wide receiver still commands.

Despite some ambiguity in Samuel’s recent social media activity, the locker room stands firmly behind him.The episode also points to a broader trend—where offseason footage is often overanalyzed without context. Kittle’s response serves as a reminder that within team circles, chemistry and trust carry more weight than viral impressions.Also read: “Not my friend walking in”: John Spytek dismisses Tom Brady connection, plots fresh path for RaidersIn the age of social media scrutiny, George Kittle’s words stand as a strong endorsement of Deebo Samuel’s value—not just as a player, but as a core part of the 49ers' identity.