It’s the non-saga saga that continues to persevere.
After throwing what was effectively a game-losing interception, cameras caught Jimmy Garoppolo expressing his frustration.
No one has been able to successfully, or at least clearly identify what Garoppolo said.
On Thursday, Kyle Shanahan was asked about the video, saying the clip was “a joke.”
He insisted there was no friction between him and Garoppolo.
“First of all, that clip to me is a joke,” Shanahan said. “I can’t believe we’re talking about it. I’m pretty sure that’s not what he said.”
Shanahan said he was unlikely to watch it and highlighted the daily interactions he and Garoppolo have.
Garoppolo was asked by media about the clip in his Friday availability. He said he was happy they didn’t catch other things he’s said.
“You say a lot of things in the heat of battle that you hope people don’t hear,” Garoppolo said. “No, me and Kyle are cool. We really are. We’ve been through a lot of types of seasons that have been different, but we’re early on in the season… I’m glad they caught that rather than something else. I’m not sure exactly what I was saying.”
Part of the reason the clip blew up was that Garoppolo mentioned after the game that he didn’t have a full training camp ramp up and was dealing with arm fatigue.
While he said he wasn’t blaming that for his performance, some questioned whether he was taking enough accountability in the loss, after Shanahan had shouldered blame for the play call on the safety.
Garoppolo addressed that on Friday and credit Shanahan for being “man enough” to take the blame for that call. He says he takes blame, too, especially in person with Shanahan.
“It starts with the quarterback. It always does and always will and I just try to call things as I see it, to keep it real,” Garoppolo said. “That’s how I’ve always been and that’s how I’ll always be. But it starts with me no matter what, good bad or indifferent. Whatever happens out there the quarterback and the center are the two guys touching the ball every play.. So it starts with me, obviously. I mean, I would always take that. I always have, always will.”
He and Shanahan will have to rebound quickly in a massively important Monday night matchup with the Rams. A win would tie the 49ers for the top spot in the NFC West.
While the offense has struggled thus far, a win could be a much-needed salve for their woes.