Jimmy Garoppolo was the star of the show that took place on Sunday when the 49ers won their second game of the season with a 15-14 victory over the Chicago Bears. Even without a touchdown, Garoppolo’s starting debut impressed his coaches, teammates, and specifically general manager John Lynch.
“It’s one thing seeing it on the practice field, but it’s another thing watching it live when it counts,” Lynch said on Murph & Mac Friday morning. “I was impressed along with his teammates and his coaches.”
However, it’s a new week and a new opponent and Lynch understands the significance of Garoppolo’s next start against the Houston Texans this Sunday.
“So that was impressive to watch, but it was just one start,” Lynch said. “I think everyone can be excited, but also pump the breaks and say, ‘What can we do this week?’ I’m excited for that opportunity.”
Garoppolo recorded 293 passing yards with a 70 percent completion rate, one closely-contested interception, and survived a pair of sacks.
The only thing missing from his first start for San Francisco was a touchdown, but he already checked that off his list during his 49er debut in the fourth quarter in Week 12 against the Seattle Seahawks.
Nonetheless, there are plenty of other quarterbacks in the league with the same skillset on the field, but not all of them possess the same intangible quality Lynch saw in Garoppolo on Sunday.
“Jimmy came out and played and took over control,” Lynch said. “To me, I think great leaders, great players, their greatest quality is if they make people around them better. I don’t think that you can argue that he didn’t do that for everybody on the field the other day.”
To listen to the full interview check out the podcast below, and start from the beginning for Lynch on Garoppolo.
