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How Jimmy Garoppolo is proving his naysayers wrong

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By: Jack Hammer

San Francisco 49ers middle linebacker Fred Warner, left, celebrates with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) after the 49ers defeated the Dallas Cowboys in an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)

If you’ve waded through social media and hot take media shows for discussion about the 49ers, you probably have noticed there’s no topic as polarizing as Jimmy Garoppolo.

On one side, you hear about how the 49ers are winning despite Garoppolo. On the other side, you hear they are winning because of him. If you are on either side of the argument, you are wrong.

The 49ers are winning because they are a complete team, and Garoppolo has proven to be a selfless leader.

The above tweet is just the most recent example that some media personalities and fans do not share the same view of Garoppolo as those in the locker room. 

During his Thursday press conference, Kyle Shanahan was asked what the words from Garoppolo’s teammates say about him as a leader.

“It shows what our guys think of him,” responded Shanahan. “Jimmy is one of the main reasons we are here. He’s done an unbelievable job. People don’t give him enough credit. Yeah, we win as a team, and that’s why he doesn’t always have the same stats that some MVP candidates have. But Jimmy’s a very good quarterback, and he doesn’t worry about that stuff.”

Shanahan knows all about working with MVP quarterbacks. Matt Ryan was named MVP while playing under Shanahan during his time as offensive coordinator for Atlanta.

With Ryan as his quarterback in 2015 and 2016, Atlanta posted a 21-14 record, including postseason. In 50 games with Jimmy Garoppolo as his starting quarterback in San Francisco, Shanahan has compiled a 35-15 record.

Despite the strong winning percentage with Garoppolo at quarterback, the 49ers decided to invest heavily in the position during the 2021 draft.

Shanahan and Garoppolo have done a masterful job of navigating the potential pitfalls this move could have caused the organization. After starting the season 3-5, San Francisco now finds itself on the doorstep of reaching its second Super Bowl in three seasons.

Throughout it all, the team has continued to recognize Garoppolo as a leader. Shanahan explained why.

“He’s gone through some ups and downs while he’s been here, like most quarterbacks do, but he’s the same guy,” said Shanahan. “And that’s why people, first and foremost, respect him as a human and as a person. And then the way that he goes and battles on the field, everyone knows how tough he is, everyone knows how hard he’ll compete running with the ball, and our guys also know he can throw pretty well, too.”

Notes:

Left tackle Trent Williams missed his second practice of the week after suffering an injury to his right ankle against Green Bay.

Running backs Jeff Wilson Jr and Elijah Mitchell were both limited participants in practice.

Cornerback Ambry Thomas and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo were listed as full participants.

Originally posted on Inside The 49ers