Deebo Samuel’s recent declaration, “It’s now or never,” has ignited discussions about the San Francisco 49ers’ Super Bowl aspirations this season.
During the launch of his podcast, “Cleats and Convos,” Samuel emphasized the urgency for the team to capitalize on its current opportunity.
As a long-standing member of a top-tier squad, the wideout’s hunger for a championship is palpable.
His sentiment resonates with Paul Pierce, a 2008 NBA champion with the Boston Celtics, who understands the drive to secure a title while the opportunity presents itself.
Pierce recently compared his title-winning Celtics team and the present-day 49ers.
“On my championship team in Boston … (head coach) Doc [Rivers] was like, ‘We’ve got to win this year because we don’t know what your window is going to be,’” Pierce said on “Speak.”
.@paulpierce34 agrees with @19problemz‘s “now or never” claim on the 49ers winning the Super Bowl.
“On my championship team in Boston, we brought Ray & Kevin together. Doc [Rivers] was like, we’ve got to win this year because we don’t know what your window is going to be.” pic.twitter.com/QGE5VOkQ4W
— Speak (@SpeakOnFS1) September 18, 2024
Pierce relayed his concerns about the uncertainty of sports and how it can affect the pursuit of a championship.
“You never know what’s going to hit, because all types of things happen. Injuries, trades, contract disputes, and right now, their window has been open for a few years now,” he said of the Niners.
The urgency proved prophetic, as subsequent seasons saw the Celtics struggle with injuries, making it increasingly challenging to recapture their championship form.
Samuel’s statement reflects the 49ers’ current reality.
They are facing a critical period, with significant financial commitments to key players like Christian McCaffrey, Trent Williams, Brandon Aiyuk and Nick Bosa limiting their roster flexibility.
Additionally, injuries to crucial players, including McCaffrey and Samuel himself, are adding to the pressure to seize their opportunity.
