Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo’s roles might be reversed this season, but the first-year starting quarterback knows there’s still plenty he can learn from his veteran backup.
On the latest episode of the “49ers Talk” podcast, Lance sat down with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco and detailed exactly what he believes Garoppolo can continue to teach him after taking a pay cut to remain with the team.
“I’ve said it a million times, but he truly has been a big brother to me,” Lance said of Garoppolo. “And just his knowledge of the game, his advice on and off the field … I’m 22 [years old], so I’m going to continue to learn as much as I can, every rep, on and off the field.”
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Garoppolo is entering his ninth NFL season and fourth as a backup QB -- but first in such a role for the 49ers.
He spent the first three and a half seasons of his career behind Tom Brady in New England but eventually took what he’d learned to San Francisco when the 49ers acquired him from the Patriots in October 2017.
After four full seasons of ups and downs in the Bay -- from championship appearances to season-ending injuries -- there certainly are plenty of life lessons Garoppolo can prepare Lance for.
“He’s a great mentor,” Lance said. “A great guy to learn from.”
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Lance has publicly voiced his excitement over Garoppolo’s return, even as speculation about the situation stewed in the media. And even though the 49ers spent the offseason trying to trade their former starter, Lance said it never felt like Garoppolo was off the team despite all signs pointing to that outcome.
“I mean, he never was taken off the team, so I guess my mind never totally went to he was definitely leaving,” Lance told Maiocco. “Obviously, it felt like he was saying goodbyes and stuff at the end of the season last year.
“But when I heard we were getting him back, I was super excited.”
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Perhaps Lance knew something the rest of the NFL world didn’t over the summer when he refrained from saying his mental goodbyes to Garoppolo.
But one thing is certain: With a starting-caliber QB behind him on the depth chart, there’s a lot Lance can learn.