Jimmy Garoppolo’s facial expressions angered NFL fans during the 49ers’ 31-7 loss to the Eagles in the NFC Championship game on Sunday.
With the 31-year-old Garoppolo still sidelined as he heals from a fractured foot suffered in Week 13 of the regular season, 49ers rookie quarterback Brock Purdy started against the Eagles, but left in the first half with an elbow injury, giving way to fourth-string quarterback Josh Johnson.
San Francisco’s circumstances continued to deteriorate. Johnson sustained a concussion in the second half, compelling Purdy to re-enter the game despite his diminished throwing abilities. Inactive Garoppolo remained on the sidelines, where cameras captured the former second-round choice grinning at various times during the blowout game, which infuriated social media users.
“Wow. Is Jimmy Garoppolo currently grinning on the bench? One person tweeted on Sunday, “Yikes,” while another said, “I’m not a 49ers fan, but Jimmy Garoppolo’s sideline grin bothered me.”
One observer also commented, “Jimmy Garoppolo is smiling a lot for a player on a losing team.”
Garoppolo, who will be a free agent, hoped he could have helped San Francisco in their time of need after the game.
“I wish I had a helmet,” Garoppolo told NBC Sports Bay Area on Sunday, which also stated that he told the 49ers’ top management that “everything will work out.”
Prior to the start of the 2022 regular season, the 49ers re-signed quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to a one-year contract to serve as the backup to second-year quarterback Trey Lance, whom they drafted third overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. When Lance sustained a season-ending ankle injury in Week 2, San Francisco went to Garoppolo, who had 16 passing touchdowns and no picks in 11 games.
With free agency on the horizon, it remains to be seen where Garoppolo’s quarterback carousel will land this offseason.
»Jimmy Garoppolo’s viral smile in 49ers’ blowout loss enrages online«