Deebo Samuel has a reputation. Two of them, actually.
One, he tends to get physical in games, so much so that he's a wide receiver who can also be a bruising running back.
And two, he tends - when there aren't games to play - to get a little heavy.
And now, a couple of former NFL stars are half-joking in their evaluation of the new Washington Commanders star that his excess weight is a problem.
The Commanders made big-time noise this offseason when they traded for Samuel, whose skills carrying and catching the football will provide quarterback Jayden Daniels with another weapon.
Part of the arrangement: Samuel, 29, is entering the final season of the three-year, $71.55 million extension he signed with San Francisco in 2022 and he's now got a reworked final season on the deal to guarantee him $17 million this year with $3 million in additional incentives.
The Commanders are expecting greatness as their reward.
But ...
As Deebo worked at minicamp in advance of next month's training camp and in online videos looked rather slow doing it, some are poking fun at some extra weight he may be carrying.
Brandon Graham helped the Philadelphia Eagles win a pair of Super Bowls as a pass-rusher. Responding to Deebo question on social media Graham was the first to disrespect the new Commanders' acquisition.
“I wouldn’t worry about him, he gotta be in shape first," said the now-retired Graham. "He don’t look like he in shape right now.”
This is not a new phenomenon; tere were rumors about Samuel's physical conditioning last season in San Francisco, and some say that (along with the money) was among the reasons the Niners were ready to trade him.
Deebo's asset is his combination of size, speed and agility ... with that physicality at 6-foot and 215 pounds, where he's big enough to run over linebackers and outrun cornerbacks.
But if he's not in shape ...
Former Niners, Eagles and Dallas Cowboys' receiver Terrell Owens - who to this day remains a physical specimen - jumped on Deebo
Said T.O., "He's about two chicken nuggets from tipping the scale. ... He is fat.''
Owens added, "I love Deebo'' ... but maybe right now there is a little too much to love.
The Commanders commence training camp July 18 in Ashburn, Virginia. ... at which time Samuel will have time to get the work in to be in top shape.