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Earlier this season, Jimmy Garoppolo didn't want to close the door on a possible return to the San Francisco 49ers in 2022. Most believe the team will unload the veteran quarterback and his hefty salary and transition to the No. 3 overall pick in last year's draft, Trey Lance.
"Honestly, with the possibilities,
I try not to close any doors too early," Garoppolo said in November. "It's one of those situations, you've just got to let it play out, I think. We've got a lot going on with the season and everything right now. If you start thinking about those other things, you just get distracted, I think. But when we cross that bridge, we'll assess everything then."
Garoppolo could see that bridge on Sunday as he prepared for what was likely his final regular-season game with his 49ers teammates. That's when fullback
Kyle Juszczyk approached him.
"
And we hugged," Garoppolo told Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, "and he was like, 'Man, I don't want to get emotional or anything, but this is our last regular-season game together.' It was a pretty cool moment, and from that point on, I really was like, 'This could be it.'"
It could have been his final game in red and gold, but the last chapter in that story extends following a thrilling 27-24 overtime win against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. As a result, the 49ers clinched a playoff berth and will face the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild-Card round on Sunday.
What makes the regular-season finale win even more impressive is Garoppolo toughing it out to be a big part of the storyline. The quarterback wasn't anything close to perfect, but in the end, he helped his Niners get past the Rams and punch their playoff ticket. And he did so with a torn ligament and chipped bone in his right thumb, admitting after the game that throwing still hurt—a lot.
"
It was definitely tested," Garoppolo told FOX Sports' Tom Rinaldi. "It's football. I don't know what to say. It [expletive] hurt. Sorry, but it is what it is. We got the win, and that's all that matters."
Garoppolo finished the game 23-of-32 for 316 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. Again, it was not perfect, but given what he was going through, it was a gutsy outing by the quarterback.
"It's those big moments that you live for as a quarterback," Garoppolo told Breer. "You want to be the guy with the ball at the end. When you get that opportunity, just, I don't know. You bring up the emotional stuff, man. It's tough. It really is.
"I love these guys. I love these players. We've been through a lot together, and there's just some guys in that huddle that you look into their eyes and it means a lot to them, it means a lot to me, and just the whole team together, it's a great group and I just don't want this to end anytime soon."
Maybe there are a few more moments in the coming week. In a wide-open NFC playoff bracket, anything is possible.
Former NFL wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh claims to have recently spoken to Brandon Aiyuk, stating that the star player has no desire to leave the San Francisco 49ers.
Aiyuk and the 49ers are currently negotiating a contract extension, aiming to finalize a new deal. Of course, that hasn't prevented significant media speculation surrounding Aiyuk's future, with many wondering if the delay might hint at a potential trade.
Well-informed 49ers fans know that the team typically finalizes its significant contract extensions closer to training camp, as seen with George Kittle in 2020, Fred Warner in 2021, and Deebo Samuel in 2022. Last year, negotiations with Nick Bosa concluded just days before Week
(Episode 332) — Steph Sanchez of the Gold Standard Network and host of the 49Karats Podcast joins Brian Renick and Al Sacco for a special simulcast. Before they get into the mock draft, they react to the Brandon Aiyuk draft day trade rumors and what would cause the 49ers to trade up in the first round.
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You can watch the interview
NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah unveiled his fourth and final mock draft, projecting the San Francisco 49ers to select Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy with the No. 31 overall pick.
While many anticipated the 49ers bolstering their offensive line in the first round, Jeremiah's choice may raise eyebrows. However, with seven offensive tackles already off the board, he opted to provide third-year quarterback Brock Purdy with another explosive target.
"This is my favorite fit in the first round," Jeremiah explained. "We saw what Tank Dell did in a similar offensive system with Houston, and we know what Mike McDaniel has been able to build with so much
Despite initial reports, two draft prospects who were set to visit the San Francisco 49ers ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft ultimately did not meet with the team. Matt Barrows of The Athletic revealed that former USC wide receiver Brenden Rice and former Oregon safety Jamal Hill didn't end up visiting the Bay Area organization.
Barrows wrote, "Meanwhile, a report in March indicated that USC receiver Brenden Rice, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, would visit the 49ers, but he didn't end up coming, according to two league sources."
Justin Melo of The Draft Network first
