Joe Montana Says it’s ‘A Little Early’ to Call Garoppolo the 49ers’ Franchise Quarterback

Apr 10, 2018, 12:00 AM | Updated: Jan 4, 2019, 11:26 am

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 24: San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) scrambles out to the left during the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 24, 2017 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA (Photo by Samuel Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

(10)

(Photo by Samuel Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

by Matt George – Sports 1140 KHTK Reporter

Talk about a quick turnaround. The San Francisco 49ers went from being in the cellar of the NFL, winless in their first nine weeks of the 2017 season, to on top of the world, winning six of their last seven games. What changed? The man under center.

The 49ers shocked the world with a blockbuster trade in the middle of the season, acquiring Jimmy Garoppolo from the New England Patriots, which has set them on a rapid path back to prominence. After their strong finish, the franchise wasted little time locking up Garoppolo to a five-year, $137.5 million deal.

While it is alright to be excited, there is such a thing as jumping the gun when it comes to fan expectations for Jimmy G and the 49ers next season. Tuesday morning on the NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football”, 49ers legend Joe Montana brought a lot of cautious optimism to the table.

In his six appearances last season, Garoppolo finished with a completion percentage of 67.4 with 1,560 total yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions.

Newsletter

Football

Drake Maye #10 of the North Carolina Tar Heels passes the ball during the second quarter against th...

Amiliano Fragoso

2024 NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Three Trades inside the Top 10

With the 2024 NFL Draft only hours away, here's a look at how it could go this evening, and who the major trade players are.

5 hours ago

Fred Warner #54 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after defeating the Dallas Cowboys 19-12 in t...

Amiliano Fragoso

Fred Warner enters new NFL chapter as a father, talks Sorensen hire

Fred Warner enters Year 7 in a different head space after becoming a father in March, adding more fuel to the fire for NFL success.

23 hours ago

San Francisco 49ers General Manager John Lynch looks on during pregame before the game against the ...

Amiliano Fragoso

John Lynch unveils the process of being flexible in the draft

John Lynch has been known to make moves on draft night, one of the reasons why flexibility is a must for him and the 49ers.

1 day ago

Analyst Chris Mortensen watches action prior to an Alliance of American Football game between the B...

Joseph Jarosz

Raiders GM shares sweet story about Chris Mortensen ahead of NFL Draft

Las Vegas Raiders General Manager Tom Telesco made sure people remember Chris Mortensen ahead of this weekend's NFL Draft.

1 day ago

Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass during an NFC Championship game against th...

Amiliano Fragoso

Brock Purdy details ‘different’ NFL offseason entering Year 3

QB Brock Purdy enters his second NFL offseason 100% locked in, ready to tackle Year 3 with the San Francisco 49ers.

2 days ago

Brandon Aiyuk #11 of the San Francisco 49ers runs the ball after a catch for a first down in overti...

Amiliano Fragoso

John Lynch mum on Brandon Aiyuk saga, downplays looming trade rumor

The 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk are at a crossroads entering the draft, with John Lynch not giving much on how talks are going.

3 days ago

Joe Montana Says it’s ‘A Little Early’ to Call Garoppolo the 49ers’ Franchise Quarterback