Player after player praised Garoppolo’s professionalism throughout the season in their exit interviews with the media on Monday. No commendation rang louder than Trey Lance’s.
“I learned a ton throughout this year,” Lance told reporters. “It was a ton of fun. Got to learn from Jimmy, one of the best dudes, I think, I could’ve possibly had to learn from. As a person, as a pro, how he handles himself.”
Lance sat behind Garoppolo for the majority of the season, leading the scout team as San Francisco’s clear backup quarterback. He got to study Garoppolo in the QB room and from the sidelines.
Since SF traded three draft picks to move up and select Lance with the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, it became likely this was Garoppolo’s final year with the organization. He and Lance competed for the starting job in training camp, but Garoppolo won QB1 status and the locker room without drama.
Now, after San Francisco’s loss in the NFC Championship, the 49ers are shaping up to be Lance’s team. As a rookie, Lance made two starts; SF went 1-1 in those games. The 21-year-old flashed electric dual-threat potential, throwing for a total of five touchdowns to two interceptions, plus 168 rushing yards. All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams said Lance is a “generational talent.”
But Lance is still raw and unproven. Regardless of how next season and beyond plays out, the foundation of his career will always start with a year under Garoppolo’s wing.
“Jimmy’s the man, you’ve heard it from everyone,” Lance said. “No one’s lying about it. He inspired so many guys in this room. Everything he’s played through this year, everything he’s taught me, how he handled our whole situation. Everyone put us against each other, the media throughout this whole year, OTAs, everything. But he’s been nothing but a big brother to me this whole year. Whether it’s competing with him at practice to me asking him questions, he’s been nothing but great to me. Just thankfulness for him and everything he’s done, how he’s handled everything. Obviously he’s going to be one of my best friends for my whole entire life.”