The 2020 NFL season is set to kick off (pun intended) in just over a month, and after an offseason filled with critiques, rumors and everything in between, San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is ready to get on the field.
“I thought [2019] was a productive year,” Garoppolo said on a Zoom call today with the media. “Obviously, it didn’t finish the way we wanted it to, but I think there was a lot of things that went well for us. A thing that I always take pride in is being an accurate quarterback, more accurate you are, the more yards after the catch your guys could go get for you. So, in our offense it’s putting the ball in the right spot, putting it in the right timing of the play and it’s little things like that, that go a long way in our offense. So, I think, I was pretty happy with everything, how it went, and like I said, we just want the last game of the season to turn out a little differently.”
Same, Jimmy. Same.
Earlier this offseason, the 49ers confirmed that when now-Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady became available, they did discuss bringing the G.O.A.T. in at QB1. You may remember that Garoppolo backed Brady up in New England, so the intrigue around this had people talking. However, the Niners stuck with the QB that took them to the Super Bowl and all is good at Levi’s Stadium.
“I’m always confident in my play and I know what I put out there…” Garoppolo said. “So, it’s all about being confident and it’s just part of the business. I’ve seen both sides of it, so I’ve been there.”
In his first full season as starter and coming off an ACL injury, Garoppolo took the 49ers to the Super Bowl, so it’s a safe assumption that his play will only improve.
“…[E]verything that went into [last] season, it will only help me going forward. So, I think in terms of being a quarterback, I still have a long way to go. I’m still…relatively young for a quarterback, just in terms of playing time. So, I think as a quarterback, you’ve got to get out there and get the reps playing, getting the live action like that. And, I think having a full season under my belt will help me going forward.”
In terms his knee, Garoppolo says, “…[I]t’s able to do whatever it needs to do at this point.”
New home for No. 71
New bodyguard for No. 10@TrentW71 pic.twitter.com/zGXA4cgK7f— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) August 4, 2020
It also helps that Garoppolo has Trent Williams blocking for him at left tackle, as well as a number of new offensive weapons at his disposal, with players like wide receivers Trent Taylor and Jalen Hurd, as well as running back Jerick McKinnon returning from injuries. Beyond that, he has first-round draft pick Brandon Aiyuk joining the receiving corps.
“…[I[t’s been exciting getting guys back who were hurt last year, the rookies getting them in,” said Garoppolo. “There’s some talent across the board. And so, it’ll take some time and we’ve got to play some catch up with those guys, but it’s an exciting time of year. It’s good to be back.”
Due to COVID-19, this offseason has been very different for Garoppolo – and the world really – in terms of preparation, but, winners adjust.
“…Got a lot of new things, new weight room at the house, so, there’s some positives that come out of it, but just, everyone’s dealing with it and it’s one of those things you’ve got to adapt as quickly as possible,” Garropolo said. “And, it’s going to be different. We know that going into it and it’s just how you deal with the different situation. And, obviously having the mask and being safe with things like that, it’s those little things that’ll go a long way…There’s some things that you can control and some things you can’t and so the things that are out of our control, you try not to think too much about. But, at the end of the day, you want to be safe and guys are going home to their families. So, there’s a fine line there, but I think the NFL has done a great job…I can’t tell you how many precautions we’re taking, the testing, being six feet apart. There’s a million things that go into it, but it’s been good so far.”
Getting the day started also takes more time than it did a year ago.
“Your morning takes longer to come in,” said Garoppolo. “You’ve got to go through all the testing, answer the survey and all that. There’s a lot of little pieces that go into it, but it’s like anything, it’s part of your routine now. It’s just kind of getting used to it and you adapt to it. But, I think the biggest difference is just the time efficiency I would say. You can’t really go from one thing to the next real fluidly. It’s different than it was before.”
Let’s get ready for football.