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In any interview with San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, a question or two about his quarterback eventually comes up. After all, the media has been quick to toss much of the blame for February's Super Bowl loss on Jimmy Garoppolo's shoulders.
The offseason flirtation with the idea of potentially adding Tom Brady gave the media even more ammo in the assault on the 49ers' signal-caller.
Chris Simms of NBC Sports got his close friend, Shanahan, to return to his Chris Simms Unbuttoned podcast, which is an interesting hour-long interview, if you have the time. Simms asked the 49ers coach what he will try to preach to Garoppolo entering the 2020 season.
"My [message] to Jimmy is that you're just getting started," Shanahan responded. "Last year was your first year playing quarterback for a whole season. You never had longer than a [five]-game stretch. Last year, you got 16, and look how good you did. Look how far we got. And, oh my God, we almost got all the way."
How strong was Garoppolo's 2019 campaign? He passed for 3,978 yards during the regular season, which ranks fourth all-time in franchise history. Only two quarterbacks, Steve Young and Jeff Garcia, have thrown for more yards in a single season.
"But that's not the finished product, and that's how I feel about everything," Shanahan continued. "I feel it about myself. I feel it about our team. Like, guys, we didn't just almost get there; we're still going, and you have to get better.
"And what I like about our team is, when I'm talking about Jimmy, how can he not get better? He's played one season. That's just the starting point."
Shanahan feels it's not just Garoppolo who has room for improvement. The 49ers' wide receivers can get better. Even the defensive line can get better. Everyone can improve. That's how the team will compete for a championship.
"With Jimmy, I know everyone thinks he's been in the league so long because he's gotten the second contract and everything," Shanahan added, "but quarterbacks with his ability, they get better the more they play, and the more situations they're in. And that's the key for Jimmy is just to know that and keep doing it."
Brock Purdy hopes Kyle Shanahan makes addition to 49ers playbook
By David Bonilla
Apr 16
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy threw for a franchise-record 4,280 yards last season, leading the team to the Super Bowl and earning his first Pro Bowl selection. He held onto the football 39 times on the ground, rushing for 144 yards and scoring twice. This marked a significant improvement over his rookie 2022 campaign when he had 22 carries for 13 yards and a score.
Purdy further displayed his athleticism during the 49ers' playoff game against the Detroit Lions last season, helping engineer a comeback victory while rushing for 48 yards on five carries.
On Tuesday morning, Purdy joined the "Pat McAfee Show," acknowledging that he believes he can contribute more rushing yards if called upon. However, that decision rests with head coach Kyle Shanahan,
49ers sign WR Trent Taylor, reuniting with former draft pick
By David Bonilla
Apr 16
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
Draft Watch: Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley visiting 49ers on Wednesday
By David Bonilla
Apr 16
The San Francisco 49ers are hosting several draft prospects this week as the deadline for pre-draft visits draws near. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the team will host former Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley on Wednesday.
Corley is expected to be a Day 2 pick. San Francisco owns two selections on Day 2—the No. 63 overall pick in the second round and the No. 94 overall pick in the third round. Currently, the receiver is visiting with the Seattle Seahawks.
Western Kentucky @WKUFootball receiver Malachi Worley
Rapoport: 49ers send clear message to teams inquiring about Brandon Aiyuk
By David Bonilla
Apr 16
Ian Rapoport didn't offer much of an update on the ongoing contract negotiations between the San Francisco 49ers and their standout wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk. However, the NFL insider emphasized one thing: The team is not entertaining trade discussions at this juncture.
Reacting to Aiyuk's decision to unfollow the 49ers on Instagram, Rapoport couldn't help but chuckle at the latest development. This practice has become commonplace among players who are unhappy with their contract situations. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel similarly took this action in 2022 before requesting to be traded just before the draft.
Things have yet to escalate that far with Aiyuk, but Rapoport sees his
