Stephen A. Smith Says Jimmy Garoppolo ’Needs to Shut the Hell Up’ About 49ers

ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith ripped Jimmy Garoppolo during Wednesday’s episode of First Take for his latest comments regarding his former team, the 49ers. During an interview with Sports Illustrated’s Robin Lundberg, Garoppolo was asked about San Francisco trading Trey Lance to the Cowboys. Lance was drafted by San Francisco to replace Garoppolo which eventually led to him leaving the team to join the Raiders. 

Garoppolo called it a “weird situation” and added there have “been a lot of weird situations over there in San Francisco.” Smith didn’t care for the comment and had some strong words for the signal-caller about it.

"Jimmy Garoppolo needs to shut up." pic.twitter.com/TsmGvJV45f

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 30, 2023

“My perspective is Jimmy Garoppolo needs to shut the hell up,” Smith said. “Just shut up and play.” 

Smith continued to mercilessly go after Garoppolo, saying he “spends more time in an infirmary than on a football field” when referring to his injury history. 

“You’re missing throws in the Super Bowl that could have helped your team win,” Smith said referring to the 49ers’ loss in Super Bowl LIV to the Chiefs. “Let’s be clear as to what I have said, I have been on the record saying this in the past and I’m going to say this again: the 49ers didn’t win because of Jimmy Garoppolo, they’ve won in spite of Jimmy Garoppolo.”