How Deommodore Lenoir Overcame Tough ‘rookie Slump' To Become 49ers Team Captain

How Deommodore Lenoir overcame tough ‘rookie slump' to become 49ers team captain originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Deommodore Lenoir is one of the 49ers’ most important players, but his rise to stardom wasn’t always a smooth ride.

After starting his rookie season seeing plenty of action, Lenoir’s time on the field all but disappeared down the stretch of his first professional season.

During an interview on the latest episode of “49ers Talk,” Lenoir told NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco how he was able to overcome his rookie slump and develop into a key piece on San Francisco’s defense.

“Hit that rookie slump, hit that rookie wall. It was something I had to overcome, really just starting with looking within first,” Lenoir told Maiocco. “Not making excuses on why I’m not playing and just put in the effort to be one of the guys on film like, ‘We have to play this guy.’ “

And that’s exactly what he did. After starting just two games during his rookie season, Lenoir has been in the 49ers’ starting lineup 56 times since the start of the 2022 NFL season, recording 8 interceptions and 31 passes defended over that span.

His standout play also led to the honor of being named a team captain for the first time before the 2025 NFL season, validating his place as a vocal leader in a locker room full of seasoned veterans.

Lenoir explained how holding himself to a higher standard and being more self-critical allowed him to blossom into the player and leader he is today.

“After my first year, that offseason. I played the first five games and then I sat down for the rest of the year. I had moved to Arizona that offseason and I was just looking at my film and seeing where I could get better, learn the scheme,” Lenoir said. “Just picking up on little things that I felt could enhance my game when I was playing. I took that time and looked at myself within, like, ‘Oh, maybe I’m not working harder. Maybe I need to be harder on myself here.’ That’s kind of just the approach I took.”

Lenoir’s persistence also paid off in the form of a lucrative five-year, $92 million contract extension signed just over a year ago that sent a strong message the 49ers plan on making the fifth-year veteran a foundational piece both now and into the future.

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir grabs an interception against Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett and returns the ball 64 yards.

Lenoir is coming off San Francisco’s blowout 42-19 win over the Arizona Cardinals last weekend, in which he grabbed an interception from Jacoby Brissett and returned the ball 64 yards. He now has his sights set on quarterback Bryce Young and the upstart Carolina Panthers when they face the 49ers on “Monday Night Football.”

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