Still, the playoffs created the perception that there was some hesitation on Shanahan's part to put a big game in Garoppolo's hands. Much of that was due to the massive success the 49ers had running the football against the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers.
Young wants to see Shanahan put more on Garoppolo's shoulders, and he wants to know the quarterback desires that responsibility. More important, Young wants Garoppolo to accept the challenge and prove his doubters wrong.
"In a way, Jimmy could break all the records if Kyle chose to put him in that spot," Young said on KNBR's Tolbert, Krueger & Brooks show. "Granted, we're running the ball so well, we don't necessarily have to. We proved that. That's OK. But I just want to make sure, and maybe I just want to double-check that those two trust each other, and Kyle's willing to put, week after week after week, Jimmy in a position to go win it.
"Look, he's done well. You're asking me, (Garoppolo as) a top-10 quarterback, top-12, 14 quarterback, 'How's he doing?' Well, that's pretty good.
"But now you're saying, 'How does he get better?' That's the pieces that need to get better — that you can see that every week, Kyle is saying, 'Jimmy, I'm going to call crazy plays. You protect me. You watch out for me.'"
Young went on to say that seeing that from Garoppolo will only benefit the team, especially in the playoffs. The 49ers can't necessarily expect to dominate opponents on the way to the Super Bowl the same way they did last season.
That means putting the football in Garoppolo's hands during those moments.
"And Jimmy responds to it, and goes to the Pro Bowl (or is selected to one), and takes them to the Super Bowl, and wins it," Young added. "That's what's left, and he can do that. So, that's what we're going to be watching for, really, first series of the first game. We want to just see that starting to unfold."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Young below.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Why NFL.com believes the 49ers could dethrone the Seahawks in 2026
NFL.com analyst Dan Parr recently ranked eight teams capable of dethroning the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks in 2026, placing the San Francisco 49ers fifth on the list. Parr noted that sharing the NFC West with Seattle strengthens San Francisco's case, as the division... -
USA Today predicts 49ers record for 2026
Last season, the San Francisco 49ers finished with an impressive 12-5 record, despite many injuries to key players. Some injuries, like those to Brock Purdy, George Kittle, and Ricky Pearsall, lasted multiple weeks. But there were more devastating ones, like the season-ending... -
Stats breakdown shows why 49ers' Kyle Shanahan and Brock Purdy remain elite
Every year, especially at draft time and heading into the season, fans are treated to a lot of potentially unfamiliar vocabulary. Three-technique or five-technique. This or that cornerback can or cannot flip his hips quickly. Statisticians have more categories than ever, even... -
49ers' Kyle Shanahan details frustration with Australia game vs. Rams
The San Francisco 49ers will play two international games during the 2026 NFL season. While the trip to Mexico City is relatively manageable—shorter than some of their East Coast road games—the same cannot be said for their matchup in Australia against the Los Angeles...