placeholder image

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports


49ers’ George Kittle says Jimmy Garoppolo is ‘everything you want in a franchise quarterback’

Jan 4, 2021 at 11:27 AM--


Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle and all of his teammates are probably getting tired of being asked questions about Jimmy Garoppolo. The perception of the quarterback is different from the inside than it is from the outside. Inside the team, everyone believes in Garoppolo and sees him as a player that can lead them back to the Super Bowl. Outside the building, everyone is trying to determine if there is a better option.

Kittle got asked one more question about Garoppolo before he and his teammates disappear for a much-needed break following a disastrous injury-plagued season. The tight end responded as he always does, expressing great confidence in his quarterback and friend.

"Honestly, I've never had to talk about someone so much in my life," Kittle told reporters. "You talk about his leadership, you talk about the wins that he has, where he led us, where we've been without him, the wins that he produces. Jimmy's everything that you want in a franchise quarterback, in my opinion.

"I think sometimes he gets flack because everyone's like, 'Well, his leadership is the first thing everyone brings up.' Well, leadership is kind of a big deal when it comes to football. If you don't have guys that lead the right way and lead by example, also lead with their voice, especially at the quarterback position, I don't think you have the best shot at winning."

The 49ers finished the season 6-10, and Garoppolo missed 10 of those games. The quarterback has now missed the majority of two of the last three seasons. However, during Garoppolo's first full season as a starter, he helped lead San Francisco to a Super Bowl. Kittle believes the quarterback is a major reason why they were able to compete for a championship.

"Jimmy's attributes that he brings on top of the leadership, and the types of passes that he throws," Kittle added, "and getting us into the right place, everything that he does, he just kind of elevates the level of play of everybody around him because he expects greatness from his teammates. I know he expects greatness of himself.

"So, when you're around a guy like that, who expects that out of you and requires it of you on a daily basis, it makes you a better football player."

Added Kittle: "Jimmy's a good friend of mine, but I also think he's a hell of a football player."



Facebook Comments



More San Francisco 49ers News


placeholder image

New Netflix show "Receiver" will feature 49ers' Deebo Samuel and George Kittle

By David Bonilla
Mar 19

After the success of "Quarterback," the NFL has announced a new series on Netflix called "Receiver." This series will follow a similar format but focus on those who haul in passes. San Francisco 49ers fans will be delighted to learn that two popular team players, wide receiver Deebo Samuel and tight end George Kittle, will be among those featured in the upcoming show. The two 49ers stars are among the most charismatic individuals on the roster, so it's easy to see why they were chosen for the series. The other stars of the show will be Davante Adams of the Las Vegas Raiders, Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings, and Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Detroit


placeholder image

49ers' George Kittle, Charvarius Ward underwent surgeries; Dre Greenlaw aiming for Week 1 return

By David Bonilla
Mar 25

According to general manager John Lynch, San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward wasn't the sole player to undergo core muscle surgery this offseason. Lynch disclosed to reporters at the NFL owners meetings on Monday that All-Pro tight end George Kittle also had the procedure. However, the silver lining is that both players are expected to be fully cleared for training camp, set to commence at the end of July. George Kittle and Charvarius Ward both had core muscle surgery this offseason and will be back, fully cleared, for


placeholder image

Jimmy Garoppolo explains why he signed with 49ers' division rival

By David Bonilla
Mar 20

Jimmy Garoppolo is back in the NFC West after signing a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Rams. The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback recently explained his decision to join the division rival after a one-season stint with the Las Vegas Raiders. "Obviously good players all around," Garoppolo said, per ESPN. "That's a big part of it. Talking to [head coach] Sean [McVay] on the phone, him just running me through offense and things that he had in mind, it really became appetizing. And I know a lot of the coaches here, so a lot of familiarity in that aspect. And then having played against the Rams a lot in my career, I've seen a lot of good things


placeholder image

49ers view Isaac Yiadom as leading candidate to start at CB, says insider

By David Bonilla
Mar 21

The San Francisco 49ers' signing of cornerback Isaac Yiadom to a one-year deal wasn't a headline-grabbing move. It wasn't even the Bay Area team's most significant free-agency move thus far. That would be defensive end Leonard Floyd signing a two-year deal with the 49ers. However, San Francisco hopes Yiadom proves to be one of its more underrated signings. The 28-year-old defensive back is coming off his best NFL season. Yiadom's 81.1 overall grade and 80.4 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus were career highs. Opposing quarterbacks completed 50 percent of their passes (22 of 44) and owned an 84.4 passer rating when targeting the former New Orleans Saints defender in 2023. RELATED:


Latest

Trending News

Share 49ersWebzone