UPDATE: Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel is facing scrutiny over his physical condition ahead of the July 22, 2025 training camp, but his trainer is stepping in to defend him. As Samuel prepares for his first season with the Commanders after his move from the San Francisco 49ers, rumors have circulated regarding his fitness following viral clips of his offseason workouts.
During the Commanders’ offseason activities, many fans and analysts noted Samuel’s appearance and questioned his conditioning. Critics claimed he looked overweight, raising alarms about his readiness for the upcoming NFL campaign. However, Nick Hill, Samuel’s trainer, quickly shut down this narrative during a recent interview on John Keim’s podcast, emphasizing that the fluctuations in Samuel’s physique are typical for this stage of training.
“Most of my guys are a little bit bigger in those early offseason phases,” Hill explained. “They’re not running as much… So the media hasn’t seen a lot of him in those months training because he’s training with me usually. That fluctuation is totally normal for us.” With training camp just days away, Hill highlighted Samuel’s commitment, revealing he participates in multiple training sessions each day.
“We’re going at 6:00 AM every day right now,” Hill said. “He has a speed and power lift session, followed by an afternoon cardio session, and then he runs routes later in the evening. He’s going two to three sessions a day.” This rigorous schedule indicates Samuel is dedicated to returning to top form as he joins a new team with championship aspirations.
Samuel, now 31 years old, is looking to bounce back after a challenging season with the 49ers. His performance will be crucial as he teams up with fellow receivers like Terry McLaurin and the emerging star Jayden Daniels. With the Commanders being viewed as serious contenders in the NFC East, Samuel’s readiness is more critical than ever.
As the countdown to training camp ticks down, all eyes will be on Samuel to see how he responds to the challenges and expectations of a new team. Will he silence his critics and showcase his elite talent? Fans and analysts alike are eager to find out when the Commanders report for training camp on July 22.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
