San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch acknowledged on Wednesday that head coach Kyle Shanahan could be intense, at times. That can be a bit too much for a new player who hasn't gotten to know the coach.
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo saw Shanahan differently. He already knew the coach's reputation when he was traded from the New England Patriots to the 49ers. Shanahan's mentality is exactly what Garoppolo needed. The quarterback wants to improve. He wants to be one of the greatest in the game.
That's why the Shanahan and Garoppolo marriage works so well.
"I mean he understands that Kyle's sole purpose is to get the most out of him," Lynch told reporters huddled around him during the impromptu interview. "Kyle can be very demanding in doing so, and some guys don't have the personality for that."
Garoppolo isn't one of those guys. He's not looking for anyone to go easy on him, and Shanahan isn't one to do so.
Lynch added: "I think it's a perfect mix because Jimmy almost gets better when Kyle's chewing him out. So I say just keep chewing."
Despite the narrative that has been painted by his critics, Garoppolo had a really good season. His 3,978 passing yards ranks fourth in franchise history.
Some wondered when he would be able to finish a 16-game season. He did that. Some wondered if he would be able to lead his team to the playoffs. He did that ... and more.
Shanahan and Garoppolo admire and care for one another, but they don't have to say it. It's just understood.
"Jimmy's just fun because there's no B.S. to Jimmy," Shanahan said on Thursday. "You don't have to play any games with him. You don't have to sit there and tell him how much you care about him. He knows I do. We're good. And he doesn't have to tell me anything like that, either. We're alright, so we just live each day together.
"I'll go coach him hard when I need to, and I'm cool with him when I don't need to be. Every day is kind of the same. Jimmy's very hard on himself. He likes you to get on him because I think it helps him focus, just like it does me, also. Jimmy goes as hard as he can.
"We're both ourselves, and we don't deviate from that at all. I think just getting to know him and being with him these few years, it has been a good match because I think our personalities match well together, and we help bring out the best in each other."
Garoppolo was asked on Thursday about his relationship with Shanahan. It's good. It must be. After all, the two are preparing to play in Super Bowl LIV against the Kansas City Chiefs. They must be doing something right.
"That's one thing I really appreciate about Kyle," Garoppolo told reporters. "That's kind of the relation that we have. There's some things that are just unspoken, whether we're thinking the same thing or we see the same thing on the field, there's no words needed. I think that makes us a great tandem.
"We've gotten to the point where he's starting to call plays, and when he gets into a rhythm, I can kind of sense that, and you get a feel for what's coming. Sometimes, he'll throw you off, keep you guessing a little bit.
"I love the relationship we have. It's very honest, and genuine, and that's all you could ask for."
