Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has his share of critics, even as his San Francisco 49ers head to Super Bowl LIV against the Kansas City Chiefs. Legendary Hall-of-Fame quarterback Joe Montana is not one of them.
The Bay Area icon joined KNBR on Friday morning and was asked about the criticisms of the 49ers' current quarterback.
"He's doing exactly what he needs to do," Montana said on the Murph and Mac show. "And at some point and time, they're going to have to lean on him, like they did in the games that you mentioned (vs. Saints, Seahawks), and he's come through in that part, so I'm not concerned about it.
"I remember, there'd be a stretch sometimes where if I went two or three games without throwing a touchdown pass, I'm going, 'What do you want me to do? Tell Roger (Craig) to fall down on the one (yard line)?'
"It's about winning and losing in that league, and it's hard to win. Sometimes it takes a running game, sometimes you have to lean on the passing game, and, almost always, you have to lean on your defense. The 49ers are lucky because they've got a pretty dang good one."
Added Montana: "Here's my scariest thought: Do you make him [stay] in the pocket, or do you try to put pressure and get him out of there? He's dangerous both places, so it's kind of scary."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Montana below.