Shanahan’s wife excited to see Garoppolo play
SANTA CLARA — Coach Kyle Shanahan doesn’t even need to leave his own house to hear about how excited people are to see whether Jimmy Garoppolo can be the long-term answer at quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers.
The hype surrounding Garoppolo has only been increasing since he arrived last week from New England in a trade in hopes he can be a franchise quarterback in San Francisco. But for now, rookie C.J. Beathard remains the starter while Garoppolo gets up to speed on a new offense and the 49ers get healthy enough to give him a chance to succeed when he does get to play.
“I know everyone is very excited and wants to see him play, including myself, including our coaches and players, including my wife,” Shanahan said Wednesday. “I get that. I’m very well aware of that, but I think I’m fortunate to be in a situation where we truly can do what we think is right and that’s really what we’re trying to figure out and that’s not something you just assume. It’s something you watch day-to-day and you take everything into account.”
Garoppolo is learning quickly. He did well enough last week to be able to serve as the backup in case Beathard got hurt. Shanahan said he was confident in calling about 25 run plays and 20 passes if Garoppolo had been forced into action. While Beathard got the bulk of the starter’s work in practice Wednesday, Garoppolo is learning more of the offense and could get more practice time as the week progresses.
But Beathard remains the starter for now.
“I don’t want to throw a guy into a situation that’s tough to succeed in,” Shanahan said. “It’s very tough when some of the stuff we are going through injury-wise, but it’s not just that. It’s also throwing a guy in that situation with his lack of reps and lack of experience.”
The 49ers made a big investment in Garoppolo, trading a 2018 second-round pick to New England last week to acquire the quarterback they hope can lead a turnaround for a struggling franchise.
Garoppolo showed some promise last year when he made two starts for the Patriots in place of a suspended Tom Brady. He completed 42 of 59 passes for 496 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions in wins against Arizona and Miami. He got hurt in the second quarter of his second start and has thrown just four passes since then.
Now he’s doing his best to get up to speed on San Francisco’s offense.
“A week ago today I was still signing logistical papers, medical papers, all that stuff. Now it’s just pure football,” he said. “Got a car rental and everything. So yeah, we’re in the right direction.”