49ers CB stabs Jimmy Garoppolo in the back with hilarious comment

New Las Vegas Raiders QB Jimmy Garoppolo will face off with his former team, the San Francisco 49ers, on Sunday. His former teammate welcomes the opportunity. 

The Las Vegas Raiders are gearing up for their first preseason bout of the summer on Sunday, Aug. 13, when the team will battle the San Francisco 49ers. While preseason games tend to mean very little in the long run, this one does harbor one interesting subplot: Jimmy Garoppolo.

Garoppolo spent six years with the Niners before signing a three-year, $72 million contract with Vegas over the summer. With San Francisco leaning into the youthful promise of Brock Purdy, it was time for Jimmy G and his magnificent smile to find a new home. What better landing spot than the Raiders, fresh off their breakup with Pro Bowl QB Derek Carr.

While Garoppolo probably won’t see many snaps in Sunday’s game, his former teammates are relishing the opportunity to see an old friend — and potentially embarrass him on the field.

“Man I miss Jimmy,” said Niners CB Charvarius Ward told Michael Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle. “Jimmy’s a great guy, man, so charming and charismatic. His smile, the way he talks to you, he just makes you feel good.”

How touching. I, too, would be sad if such a man left my workplace.

But it wasn’t all kumbaya from Ward. “I’m definitely gonna intercept him next week, though.”

49ers CB Charvarius Ward vows to intercept new Raiders QB Jimmy Garoppolo

This is all in good fun, of course, and it’s clear Garoppolo left a positive impression on those he shared the field and the locker room with in San Francisco. He has a natural charisma. While he may not be the most explosive playmaker in the pocket, there’s something to be said for stability and quality leadership. Garoppolo checks both boxes, which is why he’s still getting paid and starting football games.

The Raiders will hope Jimmy G can achieve a level of individual success similar to his predecessor, Carr. Garoppolo doesn’t possess the same arm strength as Carr, but he’s a talented game manager with an intimate connection to new Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels, who was Garoppolo’s offensive coordinator in New England. McDaniels is one of the most respected offensive minds in football and the team made a point to seek out Garoppolo. Expectations will be set high as a result.

Last season Garoppolo threw for 2,437 yards and 16 touchdowns in 11 appearances. He only tossed four interceptions over that span. A recent spate of INTs at practice has roused concern out of the fanbase, but McDaniels and the coaching staff aren’t worried. Garoppolo could get his first opportunity to silence doubts in Sunday’s bout with San Francisco.