The contrasting styles of quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Jimmy Garoppolo will be on display when the Chiefs and the 49ers meet in Super Bowl LIV, which is set for 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.
“It’s two of the best quarterbacks in the league going head-to-head,” former Falcons quarterback Michael Vick said. “Jimmy G has proven that he’s worth of every dime that he’s made. He’s a leader. He’s a guy who can get it done in the clutch. He showed us that on numerous occasions this year. When the team needed him the most, he was there.”
Mahomes is the NFL’s reigning MVP until this season’s winner is announced Saturday (likely Lamar Jackson).
“He knows how to play the game,” Vick said. “He’s smart. He’s competent. He understands what has to happen within the framework of the system he’s playing in.”
Much has been discussed about Garoppolo after he was called on to throw only eight passes in the 49ers’ NFC Championship game win over Green Bay.
“As long as we are winning, we can pass the ball zero times and rush for 400 yards, I’ll be happy,” Garoppolo said. “Whatever it takes to win.”
Garoppolo has attempted 30 passes or more in seven games this season. He’s ready to sling it around if that’s what it will take to defeat the Chiefs.
He completed 329 of 479 passes (69.1%) for 3,978 yards for 27 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He had a passer rating of 102.0.
“We’ve won in different ways this year,” Garoppolo said. “Whatever it takes to win, that’s what our offense, our team in general, has been about. We are a tough team to beat.”
The 49ers traded a second-round pick to New England for Garoppolo in 2017. He suffered a knee injury that cut short his 2018 season.
“You always have it in the back of your mind,” Garoppolo said. “I was thinking about it the other day. It was pretty crazy. About a year ago, I was learning how to run again.”
He’s enjoying the playoff ride.
“It’s just how things have changed in a year and what could happen,” Garoppolo said. “This year has been a whirlwind. I’ve had a great time with this team.”
Garoppolo knows that former San Francisco quarterbacks Joe Montana and Steve Young won Super Bowls played in Miami.
“Just to be mentioned in the same sentence with those two guys is a great honor,” Garoppolo said. “It’s up to our team. We have to go and take care of business.”
The 49ers are hoping to earn the franchise’s sixth Super Bowl title.
“To get six of them as a franchise is incredible,” Garoppolo said. “Anything that we can do to help the organization just moving forward. I’m proud of this team and everything that we’ve accomplished.”
New England quarterback Tom Brady reached out to his former backup.
“He shot me a text and wished me good luck and things like that,” Garoppolo said. “Just handle business. It wasn’t too complicated or anything like that, just go win.”
Ironically, Garoppolo suffered the knee injury in a game against the Chiefs.
“I’d never met (Mahomes) before, and for him to come over after the game and wish me well and everything like that, it really went a long way,” Garoppolo said. “He’s down to earth. A really cool dude.”
Garoppolo has two Super Bowl rings from his backup days in New England.
“We had a great relationship,” Garoppolo said of former coach Bill Belichick. “He was always a great guy, always very honest and straight-forward. I always appreciate him for that.”
Garoppolo is ready to throw the ball as much as he’s needed.
“Our guys up front kind of set the tone with the run game and getting it started,” Garoppolo said. “Getting the blocks and whatnot. The receivers tie into all of that. It takes good receivers to go in there and block the safety. It all ties in the passing game. That’s what makes our offense so good. We complement each other in the pass and run.”
Mahomes, who has been dazzling in these playoffs, completed 319 of 484 passes (65.9%) for 4,031 yards, 26 touchdowns and five interceptions. He had a passer rating of 105.3.
In the playoffs, he’s thrown eight touchdown passes and led the Chiefs to double-digit comeback victories over the Texans and the Titans.
The Chiefs traded a ransom to move up to the 10th spot to select Mahomes in the 2017 draft. He sat behind Alex Smith for a season before taking over last season and leading the Chiefs to the AFC Championship game.
“I got put in a great situation, and I try to maximize it every day,” Mahomes said.
The loss to the Patriots in the AFC title game last season was a driving force to succeed for Mahomes.
“When you are that close, you want to make sure that you get back the next year,” Mahomes said. “All of the guys on the team, we just took it one game at a time and found a way to get here.”
Mahomes had an injury scare during the season. He suffered a knee injury after running a quarterback sneak and missed two games.
“My thoughts were all bad,” Mahomes said. “But God is amazing. He got me to where I’m healthy. I’m out here playing my best football with a lot of great people around me.”
Mahomes was dazzling in the win over the Texans. The Chiefs scored touchdowns on seven consecutive possessions after falling behind 24-0. They won 51-31.
The Chiefs were behind 17-7 before pulling out a 35-24 win over the Titans in the AFC title game.
“We have a lot of weapons,” Mahomes said. “We’ve gone out there and scored a lot of points, put a lot of good tape out there. Now, it’s all about playing a really, really good defense and playing like we know we can play.”
Mahomes will see perhaps the league’s top pass rush, led by defensive end Nick Bosa.
“We understand this is a very good defense,” Mahomes said. “They are good everywhere, defensive line, linebackers, (defensive backs), everywhere, and they’ve got a great scheme. … We understand that they have a great defensive line and that they are great at pressuring the quarterback and stripping the ball from the quarterback and doing all of those things.
“For me as the quarterback, kind of weathering the storm, try not to do anything crazy. Just do what I’ve been doing. Getting the ball out of my hands.”
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