As the San Francisco 49ers try to transition to a new quarterback, their current leader is being lambasted in the media.
That won’t be helpful for Niners brass, who are trying to find QB Jimmy Garoppolo a new home away from the Bay Area.
In the meantime, coaches Garoppolo worked with in the past are criticizing his work ethic and perceived commitment issues.
A report by the San Francisco Chronicle’s Mike Silver says the Eastern Illinois University product ‘disappeared’ in most of his offseasons with the 49ers.
Despite his successes, Jimmy Garoppolo will be moved from San Francisco
The quarterback led the Niners to a Super Bowl appearance, but will be sat if he’s not traded
That includes the 2018 season, right after Garoppolo signed a five-year deal to stay in San Francisco, having been moved from New England the season prior.
‘Once he left that press conference nobody heard from him for weeks and weeks,’ an unnamed Niners assistant from their 2018 staff told NBC’s Peter King.
‘He didn’t return calls, he didn’t return texts – he basically just vanished. And we were looking at each other going, “What just happened?”‘
Despite their reservations about Garoppolo’s work ethic, the quarterback shone for the Niners in his time there, leading them to an NFC Championship this past season, and Super Bowl LIV in the 2019-20 campaign.
Before his days in red and gold, Garoppolo won Super Bowl XLIX and Super Bowl LI as a backup with the New England Patriots.
Last season, Garoppolo had a 68.3% pass completion percentage, throwing for over 3,800 yards alongside 20 TDs and 12 INTs for a passer rating of 98.7.
But despite owning the 6th best completion percentage and 9th best passer rating in the league, 49ers coaches and management are ready to move on in favor of second-year QB Trey Lance.
San Francisco traded up to draft the North Dakota State product with the third selection of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Last season, Lance played sparingly in six games, throwing just over 600 yards for five TDs and two INTs.
Garoppolo has been rumored to go to many teams, including the Cleveland Browns who may be without a starting quarterback for the whole season as Deshaun Watson awaits his suspension term.
Other teams rumored to be interested include the Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons, and Miami Dolphins.
Garoppolo will be benched to make room for second-year QB Trey Lance (behind, with ball)
Trey Lance will take over the starting job with the Niners after being picked in the 2021 draft