Trey Lance Praises Jimmy Garoppolo’s Leadership
Say what you will about the play of Jimmy Garoppolo, but even the biggest detractors (myself included) can’t question his toughness.
Despite a lengthy injury history, Garoppolo has come back time after time again to do his best to lead the 49ers to victory. It hasn’t always been perfect, and that’s been apparent throughout his time as starter, but so has the toughness.
That’s why it’s hard not to be sympathetic for Garoppolo as his time with San Francisco comes to an end. He was a part of two NFC Championship teams and the team’s first Super Bowl appearance since 2012. Above all, he seemed to have the respect of his teammates.
New starter Trey Lance in particular singled out Garoppolo as being instrumental in helping him develop to the speed of the NFL.
According to NBC Sports journalist Jennifer Lee Chan, this is what Lance had to say.
“There’s nothing weird at all. I’ve never had anything I could possibly say that’s bad about Jimmy,” Lance said. “He’s been a big bro to me when he came in.”
Veteran quarterbacks like Ben Roethlisberger and Joe Flacco faced scrutiny when they said their job wasn’t to mentor rookie quarterbacks. Whether you’re on their side or not, there’s then guys like Alex Smith who did everything he could to help Patrick Mahomes become the best he possibly could.
Lance commends Garoppolo for his efforts.
“He could have made things hell for me last year and he didn’t,” Lance added. “He helped me out with everything.”
Leadership has always been an important trait for any NFL player, let alone a quarterback, and even as Garoppolo was fighting for his job and playing through injury, he still made an effort to help Lance come up in the NFL.
Perhaps this comes from Garoppolo’s own mentor, Tom Brady, helping him out when he was drafted by the Patriots in 2014. Garoppolo’s yet another member in the line of players who commend Brady for getting the most out of his teammates.
Though Garoppolo can’t compete with Brady in quality, his leadership is admirable.
