Jimmy Garoppolo is thriving in San Francisco, and his success hasn't gone unnoticed by a player who might soon follow in his footsteps.
Backup Detroit Lions quarterback Jake Rudock said Thursday that Garoppolo's hot play with the 49ers has helped him imagine what his future might one day hold as a starter in the NFL.
Garoppolo spent three-plus seasons as Tom Brady's backup with the New England Patriots before he was traded to the 49ers for a second-round pick in October. He's won all three of his starts while completing nearly 69 percent of his passes for the 49ers.
"You're happy for other guys' success, and obviously he's doing a good job and Jacoby (Brissett is) doing a good job," Rudock said. "(Garoppolo) got a chance. It's one of those things, everyone just kind of wants an opportunity to go out there and show what they have."
A sixth-round pick out of Michigan last year, Rudock is in no way campaigning for a ticket out of Detroit.
But four months after he generated some mild trade interest with a strong preseason, Matthew Stafford's backup has positioned himself as one of a handful of young quarterbacks who could be on the move in 2018.
Rudock completed 66.1 percent of his passes with three touchdowns and one interception this exhibition season.
He's appeared in one game at quarterback in the regular season, when he completed 3 of 5 passes for 24 yards with an interception after Stafford left the game early in the loss to the Baltimore Ravens earlier this month.
"I think rookie year, everything's all new and everything's all fresh," Rudock said. "It slows down a little bit. I wouldn't say it completely slows down, but it slows down a little bit the next year and it's just, I think that helps a lot to be in the room again. I'm lucky I got Staff who does a great job helping me, so I think for me it's been a lot easier."
Rudock said he didn't pay any attention to the trade rumors that popped up this summer and he has "no idea" what his chances are of being dealt this offseason.
The Lions control Rudock's rights through next season, after which he'll become a restricted free agent. If they want to deal him this spring, they'll have to contend with a crowded quarterback market that could include Kirk Cousins, Teddy Bridgewater and Case Keenum as free agents, and UCLA's Josh Rosen, USC's Sam Darnold and Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield in the draft.
Along with the second-round pick they got for Garoppolo, the Patriots traded Brissett to the Indianapolis Colts for wide receiver Phillip Dorsett in September. Brissett is 3-10 as starter.
Lions offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter said Thursday that "the future's bright for Jake," but stressed that he has to keep building on the gains he's already made.
Rudock was forthright when asked if he's ready to be a starter for an NFL team.
"I don't know a good answer to that, honestly," he said. "You prepare like you're going to play. That's kind of all you can do and really you don't know until really the opportunity presents itself. The biggest thing is, do I want to go out there and play? Obviously. I mean, everyone in this locker room wants to. But it's one of those things, yeah, I feel ready, but you never know until the opportunity comes and I think that's with a lot of things in life."
