Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
The Chiefs’ shots at Jimmy Garoppolo did not stop when the clock read 0:00.
In the wake of Kansas City’s ferocious fourth-quarter comeback in which it hung 21 straight points on the stunned 49ers, defensive end Frank Clark couldn’t resist one more jab at the quarterback he sought all game.
Garoppolo, apart from an early interception, was solid all game until the deciding fourth quarter, when the Niners couldn’t lean on him to lead a last-minute drive. With 1:39 left while down four, Emmanuel Sanders got free downfield, but Garoppolo’s heave landed a few feet too deep.
“You paying the guy $140 million, $130 million, whatever he’s getting paid, man,” Clark told Fox Sports’ Peter Schrager. “He’s gotta throw the ball. Obviously he didn’t do that. They threw for about 200 yards on checkdowns. That ain’t enough to win a game against us.”
Garoppolo is operating under a five-year, $137.5 million pact he signed before the 2018 season, which was followed by a crushing ACL tear and a tremendous 2019 comeback season, though detractors will credit Kyle Shanahan’s offense and the talent all around him.
On Sunday in Miami, Garoppolo finished 20-of-31 for 219 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions, but the throw he couldn’t make is what many will remember.
