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Eight passes. That was Jimmy Garoppolo's workload against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game. Those eight passes, six of which were completed for 77 yards, weren't necessarily what ultimately won the game for the San Francisco 49ers. It was the team's punishing run game that racked up 285 total rushing yards that did it.
Still, they're those eight pass attempts by Jimmy Garoppolo that the quarterback's critics remember.
"Look, Kyle Shanahan was afraid to pass," they exclaimed.
"I told you Jimmy G couldn't be trusted to carry the team to a meaningful win," they shouted from their podcasts, television shows, or YouTube videos.
Kyle Shanahan believes the negative narrative about his quarterback is preposterous.
"I think its' really funny that people say that,"
Shanahan told reporters on Tuesday. "Does anyone notice how good we were running the ball? We weren't just running it to punt and try to win 3-0."
The 49ers found a weakness against the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers and exploited it.
Players like Emmanuel Sanders and Joe Staley are getting tired of the questions about Garoppolo. It's absurd to them. They trust their quarterback.
Hearing the term "game manager" probably brings back memories of Alex Smith for 49ers fans. The label is being slapped on Garoppolo now. Tight end
George Kittle was asked on Tuesday about the idea that Garoppolo can't win a shootout against someone like his Super Bowl LIV counterpart — Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
"I think we won 48-46 in New Orleans," Kittle responded. "I think that classifies as a shootout. He had two back-to-back 3rd-and-16s to beat the Rams. I think he threw the ball pretty well against Seattle to clinch home-field advantage.
"So yeah, people can keep doubting him, I guess. I'm not going to. I don't bet against really good players."
Andy Reid isn't betting against Garoppolo either. The Chiefs head coach knows what the 49ers quarterback is capable of doing in a game.
"Jimmy's percentages, the passer rating over the last couple of years here, it's up there, in really every situation," Reid said. "So as well as they run the football, and as well as they make you honor every gap, every zone on the field, you can't slight the pass game either."
Kittle hopes to haul in a good amount of passes from Garoppolo on Sunday and help the 49ers emerge as Super Bowl champions. Actually, he's probably more looking forward to opening up lanes for his running backs because the tight end loves to block. Still, he, like his teammates, can't understand the negative narrative about Garoppolo.
"He's done nothing except for show up every single time we've asked him to," Kittle added. "I think he's 21-5 as a starter in the NFL. I think that's OK, as well. I don't know how you be much better than that.
"So, I think all he's done is play good football, and he just keeps doing it week in and week out."
George Kittle recently spoke with ESPN during the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia, where he joined other NFL stars for the golfing event. Of course, the conversation shifted toward football, with Laura Rutledge asking Kittle to reflect on the team's 2023 season, its Super Bowl defeat, and the motivation it provides for the upcoming season.
The tight end believes San Francisco maintained a competitive roster this offseason and is gearing up for another run at a championship. He emphasized the importance of maintaining good health and continual improvement for a successful upcoming season.
"Brock Purdy is a fantastic quarterback, and he's only going to get better because he's young," Kittle said. "And we were fortunate enough to be able to keep our entire
The San Francisco 49ers are in good shape for 2024 when it comes to the wide receiver position. What that room looks like after this coming season remains to be seen. Most believe the 49ers will give Brandon Aiyuk a new contract around the start of training camp. But there are no guarantees. As it was reported on Friday, Aiyuk unfollowed the 49ers on Instagram, much like Deebo Samuel did two years ago.
It seems to be how modern-day players negotiate. It's not necessarily anything to be concerned about, but you never truly know how these things will end. There is still potential that the 49ers could trade the star receiver in the next couple of weeks.
If Aiyuk is extended, it
The San Francisco 49ers are holding their local pro day today at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. The team has released the full roster of participants.
An NFL local pro day is an event hosted by teams to allow prospects with ties to the local area to showcase their skills in front of team personnel. These prospects typically hail from nearby colleges or have some other connection to the region where the team is based. Head coach Kyle Shanahan, general manager John Lynch, and a contingent of coaches, executives, and scouts will be on hand to evaluate prospective draftees during the 49ers' local pro day.
The event aims to give the team a closer look at these local talents who may have received less attention during the regular scouting process. It will allow the
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
