Comments Kill: Garoppolo Acknowledges His 49ers Farewell Had Impact from Shanahan’s Harsh Remarks
Comments Kill: Garoppolo Acknowledges His 49ers Farewell Had Impact from Shanahan’s Harsh Remarks
Jimmy Garoppolo, a former quarterback for the 49ers, was very skilled at tuning out distractions, but one particular remark got through. Kyle Shanahan’s harsh remarks almost killed Garoppolo’s upsetting farewell from 49ers.
That’s because it originated from within the very team he served for over five years. After Garoppolo’s last game for the 49ers in February, when San Francisco lost to the Eagles in the NFC Championship Game, head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked if he foresaw any scenario in which Garoppolo would return to the team in 2023.
He firmly said, “No,” in response. I can’t imagine that happening.
Almost six months later, but no longer wearing a 49ers uniform, Garoppolo will be on the field with Shanahan again. It didn’t take long for Garoppolo to reconcile with his old team after signing a three-year, $67.5 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders in March.
Garoppolo met down with Michael Silver of The San Francisco Chronicle to talk about his experience in the Bay Area before the preseason game between the Raiders and 49ers on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium.
The 31-year-old quarterback acknowledged that Shanahan’s criticism affected him in a way that past criticism had not.
“Yeah, definitely,” Garoppolo said to Silver. I didn’t catch it on TV, but I’m sure someone sent me a message telling me about it. No idea if I got back to you.
Two NFC Championship games and a Super Bowl appearance were achieved during Garoppolo’s tenure with the Red and Gold.
Brock Purdy, the team’s rookie quarterback, may have guided them to the 2022 Super Bowl in Philadelphia, but it was Garoppolo who stepped up after starter Trey Lance got hurt.
Garoppolo has a 99.2 passing rating with the 49ers and threw for 13,599 yards, 82 touchdowns, and 42 interceptions in 57 games. He started 38 games for the 49ers, compiling a 38-17 record, and led San Francisco to four postseason victories in six attempts.
Silver inquired as to whether Garoppolo was concerned by his coach’s reaction.
“I mean, we’re all people,” Garoppolo remarked. Things like that, you hear about them. In every circumstance, I just do the best I can.
Everyone here has been through adversity. Things won’t always go your way in life, but you have to learn to adapt.
When you’re the quarterback, all eyes are on you in the huddle. Therefore, it is impossible to portray that aspect.
You have to stop talking and start playing ball. This is the most challenging aspect. But that’s just how it is sometimes.
Now, Garoppolo is looking ahead to the future with the Raiders, and he has the same goal he had in the Bay Area: to bring championship football back to Oakland.
