Arik Armstead thanks Jimmy Garoppolo for helping 49ers emerge from ‘some dark days’

If this really is the end of the Jimmy Garoppolo era in Santa Clara, the veteran quarterback will be greatly missed within the San Francisco 49ers locker room. Players consistently praised their quarterback of the last four-and-a-half seasons, since a mid-season trade in 2017 shipped him from the New England Patriots to the Niners.

Garoppolo finished 31-14 as a starter with the 49ers, leading the team to two NFC Championship games and a Super Bowl appearance.

On Tuesday, Garoppolo sounded like a man who knew his time in Santa Clara was over, admitting that some tough conversations with team decision-makers had already taken place, and there would likely be more to come. Most expect Garoppolo to be traded this offseason and for the 49ers to transition to last year's No. 3 overall pick, Trey Lance.

"I've got a long career ahead of me," Garoppolo told reporters via Zoom. "So I'm excited about it. I'm excited about the opportunities to come. I just want to go to a place where they want to win. I mean, that's really what I'm in this game for. I'm here to play football here, to win football games. And as long as I've got that and good people around me, I think the rest will take care of itself."

Then, Garoppolo said his goodbyes to the media, thanking reporters for the "fun ride" before thanking the dedicated fans.

"Faithful, thank you very much for everything," Garoppolo said via Zoom. "It's been crazy, man. Just all the comebacks at Levi's, comebacks on the road, ups and downs. It's been a hell of a ride guys. I love you guys."

Defensive lineman Arik Armstead wanted to publicly thank Garoppolo for everything he did for the team, remembering the struggles before the quarterback's arrival.

"[O]ur team was in some dark days before you came. Fortunate to see the [day-to-day] process and what you go through. Major respect for you," Armstead tweeted out.