It seems the Garoppolo family isn’t letting bygones be bygones when it comes to former San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan. Nearly two full seasons after Jimmy Garoppolo’s rollercoaster tenure with the 49ers ended, his brother, Billy Garoppolo, reignited the feud by taking a shot at Shanahan following San Francisco’s 12-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night.
A Social Media Jab at Shanahan
Billy Garoppolo made his feelings crystal clear on Instagram during the game. Over a photo of Shanahan, he wrote “Offensive guru” with several crying-laughing emojis, a pointed jab at the coach’s inability to guide his team to a touchdown in the weather-marred defeat. Earlier in the night, Billy had also posted “Let’s go Rams!” signaling his support for his brother’s current team.
The comments come at a time when the 49ers, now 6-8, are struggling to stay afloat in a disappointing season that could see them miss the playoffs. Meanwhile, Jimmy Garoppolo’s Rams improved to 8-6 with the win, keeping their postseason hopes alive and giving Billy more ammunition for his Shanahan criticism.
Garoppolo’s Tumultuous 49ers Tenure
Jimmy Garoppolo’s relationship with Shanahan and the 49ers was always a mixed bag. After being traded to San Francisco from the New England Patriots during the 2017 season, Garoppolo was heralded as the future of the franchise. Despite showing promise, his stint was marred by injuries and inconsistent performances. While he did lead the 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance in the 2019 season, critics often questioned his ability to carry the team offensively.
The 49ers’ quarterback saga grew more complicated with the drafting of Trey Lance as the No. 3 overall pick in 2021 and the unexpected rise of Brock Purdy in 2022. By the time Garoppolo left San Francisco, it was clear that Shanahan and the organization were ready to move on.
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A Rocky Road with the Raiders
Garoppolo signed a three-year, $67.5 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders ahead of the 2023 season, hoping for a fresh start. However, his time in Las Vegas was nothing short of disastrous. Injuries, declining performance, and a two-game PED suspension limited him to just six starts. The Raiders cut ties with Garoppolo before the season ended, leaving his NFL future in doubt.
Finding Stability with the Rams
In March, Garoppolo signed a one-year deal with the Rams as a backup to veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford. The move has provided a much-needed reset for the 33-year-old quarterback. Rams assistant coach Jerry Schuplinski shared insights into Garoppolo’s mindset in an interview with ESPN earlier this month.
“We kind of talked about the reset thing and he said, ‘It’s probably what I kind of needed to take a deep breath, to learn a new system, to be in a new place, a new culture and all that stuff,’” Schuplinski said. “And he just seems like he’s in a good place. He’s at ease. He’s enjoying his time and he’s really putting in the work.”
Garoppolo’s new role has allowed him to step away from the spotlight and focus on refining his game while supporting a playoff-contending team. With the Rams in the hunt for a wildcard spot, Garoppolo’s presence on the roster, even as a backup, has been a stabilizing factor.
49ers Struggles Fuel Family Criticism
The 49ers, on the other hand, are grappling with a challenging season that has fallen short of expectations. While Brock Purdy showed flashes of brilliance earlier in the year, the team’s inability to maintain consistency has raised questions about Shanahan’s offensive strategies. The juxtaposition between the Rams’ playoff push and the 49ers’ struggles has given the Garoppolo family plenty to celebrate—and critique.
For Jimmy Garoppolo, the transition to Los Angeles seems to have offered him a chance to rebuild his career on a smaller stage. For his brother Billy, however, the 49ers’ setbacks are an opportunity to remind Shanahan of what he believes were past missteps.
As the playoff race heats up, it’s clear that the Garoppolo family isn’t ready to let old grudges die quietly.
