Aaron Rodgers, for now, looks like he is holding off his eventual successor in Green Bay — Jordan Love. Rodgers' counterpart for the San Francisco 49ers, Jimmy Garoppolo, is trying to do the same. The Niners and Packers will clash on Sunday night as the former tries to remain undefeated in what is expected to be a tight NFC West race.
Garoppolo joined The Rich Eisen show today and was asked about his NFL future and what he wants to come out of the 2021 season. Does he want to remain in San Francisco? It might take a superb season for that to happen, much like Rodgers did in 2020 or Garoppolo's mentor in New England, Tom Brady, did with him.
"I don't know. To be completely honest, I haven't thought that far ahead yet," Garoppolo said. "It's one of those things that I'm still tied up with the season and everything that we've got going on. If I repeat what Aaron did last year, I would love to do that. That guy — MVP speaks for itself. The dude had a hell of a year, though. If I could replicate anything similar to that, I'd be thrilled with it.
"After this year, we'll figure that out when we get there. We've got a long way to go. We're only a couple of weeks into this thing."
Might Garoppolo talk to Rodgers before Sunday's game and seek advice about the situation?
"Yeah, there's a good possibility," Garoppolo answered. "I know Aaron pretty well. We've talked a couple of times on the field, off the field. Whatever little piece of advice he could give to me — obviously, it's worked out pretty well for him. The guy's been ballin'. He had four TDs [last] night.
"This league's a crazy thing. We've all got our own story and just got to make the best of your situation."
What about reaching out to Brady, now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, for advice? Is that something the 49ers quarterback would consider? Garoppolo's relationship with Brady right now is limited to a few congratulatory texts after good games.
"Tom, that guy just keeps defying the odds," Garoppolo responded after a quick laugh at the question. "I don't know how he does it. The little things he does off the field, it makes him who he is. Yeah, I don't know. ... I haven't reached out to him, but any bit of advice from that guy is always a good thing. That guy, he's doing something right out there in Tampa Bay."
Added Garoppolo: "I feel like his situation is a little bit different than what I'm in right now. He's had a million dudes behind him throughout his entire career, me being one of them, and he seems to always handle it pretty well."
H/t to @DavidFJackson5 on Twitter for the heads up.