The 49ers and Eagles have been one of the best teams in the NFC in recent years. The two teams met in last year’s conference championship game. Philadelphia dominated the Niners, winning 31-7.
Quarterback Brock Purdy was sidelined during the regular season due to injuries to Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo. Purdy sparked a late winning streak that led the Niners to the NFC title game. However, his good run came to an abrupt end when he tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow in the first quarter.
This match seemed to mark the beginning of what many considered a rivalry. But from the perspective of 49ers star wide receiver Deebo Samuel, the so-called rivalry is missing at least one key element: competitiveness.
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Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter of the NFL football game between the NFC Championship and the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 29, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Stand on the sideline. (Kevin Savitas/Getty Images)
The All-Pro receiver and hybrid running back answered questions from the media during the opening night celebrations of Super Bowl LVIII on Monday. At one point, Samuel was asked about the not-so-friendly rivalry between the Niners and Eagles.
Samuel went on to quipped, “I think the rivalry is close. I’m not going to talk about it anymore. It’s over.”
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Samuel was likely referring to the recent Eagles-Niners matchup. During a regular season game in December, San Francisco got its revenge en route to a 42-19 victory over Philadelphia. Samuel recorded two receiving touches and looked to add points during the game.
Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers runs during the NFC Championship Playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 29, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the 49ers 31-7. (Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
Immediately after last year’s blowout loss in the NFC title game, Samuel blamed the lopsided result on an injury sustained by the 49ers’ quarterback.
“I don’t think if Brock had been involved…I wouldn’t have been close,” Samuel said last February.
Samuel previously fanned the flames by taking aim at Eagles players. When I appeared on ‘i am an athleteOn a podcast before last year’s Super Bowl between the Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, Samuel called defensive back James Bradberry “trash.”
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Samuel will look to win his first Super Bowl on Sunday when the 49ers take on the Chiefs in Super Bowl III in Las Vegas.
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