Kittle thinks QB Garoppolo returns in ’21

San Francisco 49ers star tight end George Kittle is sticking by his quarterback.

With a tight Super Bowl contention window, rumors are swirling that the 49ers may consider moving on from an inconsistent Jimmy Garoppolo — who has been sidelined for much of this season after suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 2. Kittle reiterated his support and hope that the 29-year-old signal-caller stays in San Francisco for 2021.

“I do believe that,” Kittle said in an interview on 95.7-FM The Game, when asked if he thought Garoppolo would be the 49ers’ quarterback next season.

“From personal experience, Jimmy is the guy that attacks every single day. Whether it’s a bad game or a great game, he comes in every day the same guy and does that on a consis

tent basis,” Kittle said. “He doesn’t point fingers, he always shoulders the blame. I think being the

quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers comes with high expectations.

“When he plays good, people love him, and if he has a bad throw, people throw him under the bus. There’s a lot of limelight that comes with being the

starting quarterback here.”

Kittle isn’t the only one in the 49ers’ organization saying he expects Garoppolo back in red and gold next season. Head coach Kyle Shanahan kept it simple and to the point with reporters over Zoom on

Monday: “Yes, I do believe Jimmy is going to be our quarterback next year.”

Shanahan cited Garoppolo’s 24- 9 overall record with the team, including last year’s 15-win run that ended in a Super Bowl loss, as some justification.