Jimmy Garoppolo has certainly been through a lot of controversy in 2021, first surrounded by rumors in the offseason when the 49ers were relentlessly looking at options like Matthew Stafford, and then facing even more when the 49ers traded three first round picks to select Trey Lance with the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Still, despite the overwhelming amount of negative attention, Garoppolo has remained a leader on the team, leading them to the playoffs with a gutsy 2-minute drill to tie Sunday's game against the Rams, before delivering the final blow with a field goal drive in overtime.
Throughout the season, the 49ers locker room has remained strong, as seen through numerous post-game locker room speeches from Kyle Shanahan and Co., and Garoppolo is appreciative for the support from his teammates, describing how dedicated everyone is to winning football games.
"I think it's the type of locker room we have," Garoppolo said. "We all put lot into this. We all chuck a lot of things, and put them off to the side because of the importance that we put into this football [game] and this team that we have."
This weekend, the 49ers will travel to play the Dallas Cowboys in the wild-card round, and have a legitimate shot of making some noise after finishing the season 7-2, despite numerous injuries.
Garoppolo understands the importance of the moment, having been to multiple Super Bowls, both as a member of the Patriots and as a 49er, and aims to make this special opportunity count for the locker room.
"We know we have a chance to do something special, and you don't get that opportunity every year," Garoppolo said. "I've been on a number of teams that went to the Super Bowl. I'm not saying anything like that, but just, there's a feeling and you want to make them count as long as you have them, I guess."
Despite suffering a torn UCL in his right thumb just two weeks prior, an injury that normally requires 4-6 weeks to heal, Garoppolo suited up against the Los Angeles Rams and brushed off a shaky start to put together multiple scoring drives with help from his supporting cast to ultimately win the game 27-24.
Ahead of the matchup against the Cowboys, Garoppolo was limited in practice, hoping to rest his thumb injury in preparation for a win-or-go-home scenario Sunday.