Jimmy Garoppolo hasn't taken a snap since September 23, but that doesn't mean he isn't still contributing to the San Francisco 49ers. His rehab schedule permitting, the former starting quarterback is in team meetings, observing practices, on the sidelines during games, and dishing out advice to his teammates.
One of the younger players benefiting from that advice is current starting quarterback Nick Mullens, who joined 95.7 The Game on Thursday night. He has started the past six games for the 49ers, won three, and has been playing solid football along the way.
"Jimmy's a great teammate," Mullens told Damon Bruce. "He always has been. He's always just giving me little hints of advice during the week and during the game."
Mullens went 20-of-29 for 275 yards with a touchdown and a passer rating of 110.6 in the 49ers' 26-23 overtime win over the Seattle Seahawks. The victory snapped a 10-game losing streak that dated back to 2013.
"Against Seattle, actually, we were getting a lot of man coverage on third downs," Mullens continued, "and it's important that you hold the safety with your eyes on third downs. I ran off the field, and that was one thing that he said is, 'Hey, we know we like our matchups. Make sure you're controlling the safety.'
"So it's just little pieces of advice like that, that help me along the way, and I'm very appreciative of that."
Mullens, whom the 49ers signed as an undrafted free agent in 2017, has passed for 1,754 yards with 10 touchdowns, six interceptions, and a passer rating of 96.0 through his six starts. When offseason activities kick off, he will battle last year's third-round draft pick, C.J. Beathard, for the backup quarterback job.
Although, a small minority might argue that, after his impressive play, maybe his battle should be with Garoppolo and not Beathard. Bruce asked Mullens if he ever looks over at Garoppolo on the sidelines and thinks, "That guy is my backup next year."
"Heck no," Mullens responded while laughing. "That's crazy."
Perhaps it is crazy, but the question alone shows how much respect Mullens has earned from the media and the fans while keeping the starting quarterback job warm for Garoppolo.
You can listen to the entire interview with Mullens below.
