It's safe to assume that 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo immediately knew general manager John Lynch made an honest mistake when news surfaced of him accidentally liking an anti-Garoppolo tweet on Christmas Eve, but Lynch apparently called Garoppolo anyway to make sure there was no misunderstanding.
Lynch made that unwanted headline when he mistakenly liked a fan tweet that said "Leave Jimmy in Nashville" after Garoppolo's inconsistent performance in the 49ers' loss to the Tennessee Titans on December 23. He posted an explanation to Twitter later in the day stating that he "accidentally and unknowingly" liked the tweet while in Christmas Eve mass with his family, adding that he "never intended to" and remained "a huge believer in Jimmy."
Garoppolo was asked about the tweet while speaking to reporters before practice on Wednesday. He chuckled a bit when the topic came up and said Lynch called him about what happened.
"Yeah, John did," Garoppolo said. "John's first class. Always has been and always will be."
Garoppolo went on to say he trusts Lynch, saying his experience with Lynch has been positive ever since the 49ers acquired him in a trade with the New England Patriots in 2017.
"I'm sure he didn't do it on purpose," Garoppolo said. "But whatever -- social media mistake. Stuff happens. I trust John, and John's been nothing but good to me since I've been here, and I don't see him changing anytime soon."
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters on Monday that he didn't feel Lynch would have needed to talk to Garoppolo about the tweet, even though Lynch wound up doing so anyway.
"I don't know if he did, but no, I don't think that has to [be addressed with Garoppolo]," Shanahan said. "I think everyone in this building knows John pretty well, and as soon as you read a tweet like that, I don't think one person who knows John thinks that he did that. They were wondering how he messed that up. That's why I don't have [social media] like that. I would probably do the same on accident."
Whether or not Garoppolo has the chance to rebound from his shaky outing when the 49ers play the Texans this Sunday remains to be seen. Garoppolo sustained a thumb injury against the Titans that leaves his status for this week in question, although he expressed confidence Wednesday in his ability to play.