Jimmy Garoppolo compared himself with Tom Brady while speaking on his ‘competition’ with QB Trey Lance

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has a prospective successor in his team. And that’s none other than Trey Lance. The 49ers drafted quarterback Lance with the third overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft.

However, reports suggest they have no plans to replace their current starter anytime soon, although Garoppolo knows that when it comes to the business side of the NFL, anything can happen. And hence, the 29-year old quarterback is “ready to compete”.

Since trading several first-round picks to jump up to the third round to select a long-term quarterback, the 49ers‘ decision culminated a month of speculation and predictions. Garoppolo, on the other hand, does not believe that his end of stint in San Francisco is anywhere near.

On Tuesday, appeared on ESPN Radio, where he said, “It’s kind of coming full circle. You go through this NFL career and you start as a young guy coming in. Tom (Brady) kind of showed me the ropes. The competition between us was awesome. It really made me grow as a rookie and as a young player. So, that’s kind of what me and Trey, we’ll mold our relationship into that. But it will happen naturally. It’s one of those things you can’t force anything. Just let it come as it may.”

Indeed, the 29-year old quarterback would have seen himself as one of the most promising heirs of Brady when the former was first drafted for the New England Patriots. Believe it or not, Garoppolo’s position (when he was first picked to learn under Brady) is quite identical to what Lance is currently facing in San Francisco. In fact, Lance, too, comes from an FCS school, similar to Garoppolo.

Understandably, the 49ers would expect Lance to eventually take our the quarterback position after grooming under the veteran. Maybe, Garoppolo recognized that the past is repeating itself. And that’s why he texted Trey as soon as the latter got drafted.
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The senior QB continued, “I try to use my own personal experiences and just what I went through, what helped me, what challenged me as a young player. I’m going to use those tools that helped me and try to help Trey out. It’s hard to come into this league; I know how it was coming from an FCS school to the NFL. It’s a bit of an adjustment, the speed, whatever you want to call it, it’s just different. So, whatever I can do to help him, I’ll be more than happy.”

Jimmy Garoppolo could never take over the lead role in the Patriots outfit, as the franchise traded him to San Francisco after offering him just two starts. Eventually, he became a starter with the 49ers but consistent injuries made his life on the pitch difficult.

He missed 13 and 10 matches in 2018 and 2020, respectively. Niners coach Kyle Shanahan and GM John Lynch were concerned about their main QB’s fitness and that’s why they brought in Lance this offseason. As of now, Garoppolo is confirmed to be the starter during the 2021 NFL season for the Niners, but his long-term future in the scarlet and gold outfit is in doubt. Even Jimmy understands that.