The 49ers beat the Broncos 24-15 but not because of anything Garoppolo did in the game. The quarterback finished the preseason game, his first action in 11 months, having completed 1-of-6 passes for no yards and the interception. It was a performance that will probably be discussed and overanalyzed on Bay Area radio stations and by local and national writers over the coming days.
Saturday cannot get here soon enough. That's when the 49ers play their next preseason game, and it will be Garoppolo's chance to redeem himself.
"[Playing is] something I haven't done in a year, obviously," Garoppolo said after the game. "I've got to knock the rust off and everything. Thankfully, we've got a short week this week so we can bounce back quickly. It's the first step of getting back into it."
Garoppolo thinks he knew what went wrong during those first four throws, but he hadn't had an opportunity yet to review the film. He'll do that on his own and then again with his head coach, Kyle Shanahan, so the two can get on the same page and learn from the mistakes.
Garoppolo was asked what he hopes to accomplish in his next outing — Saturday's preseason game at Arrowhead Stadium against the Kansas City Chiefs.
"Just kind of get into a groove offensively," Garoppolo responded. "As an offense, once you get that first first down, you kind of start rolling and everything, and I think we only got one of those tonight. Once you get into a groove like that, as an offense, it's a good feeling. So hopefully, we'll get to play a little more this Saturday, and we'll take it from there."
Fans hope Garoppolo just finishes the game at Arrowhead, the scene of last season's devastating ACL injury, injury-free. Much of the upcoming season depends on his health — assuming he plays better than he did on Monday night.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers' John Lynch discusses chances of Mike Evans, Nick Bosa facing Falcons
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans is dealing with Achilles tendinitis, leaving his status for Sunday's Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons uncertain. The injury forced him out of Monday night's game against the Washington Commanders in the second quarter,... -
49ers Receiver Speed Could Be Kyle Shanahan's Secret Weapon Sunday
Kyle Shanahan has spent much of this season finding ways to win despite injuries, and Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons presents another unusual situation. The 49ers are down to four primary wide receivers, but Christian Kirk, Brandin Cooks, Jordan Watkins, and Jacob... -
Kyle Shanahan didn't expect 49ers' defense to be this good this soon
The San Francisco 49ers entered the 2026 season with plenty of questions on defense. They had a new defensive coordinator in Raheem Morris, a new scheme to learn, and a defensive line that was expected to need time to find its footing. Then the injuries started piling up. The... -
Kyle Shanahan reveals the highest compliment he can give 49ers QB Brock Purdy
What's the highest compliment San Francisco 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan can give to his quarterback, Brock Purdy? Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area sat down with Shanahan on Friday and discussed Purdy's importance to the offense, particularly with the 49ers dealing with...