49ers' Jeff Wilson Jr.: Jimmy Garoppolo is 'one of the greatest quarterbacks in this game right now'

San Francisco 49ers running back Jeff Wilson Jr. has let it be known he's heard enough of the perceived slander against quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. 

"Jimmy is Jimmy," Wilson said during an appearance on San Francisco sports radio station 95.7 FM The Game, per David Bonilla of 49ers WebZone. "He's one of the greatest quarterbacks in this game right now. He doesn't get enough respect. He doesn't get enough credit."

Wilson also called Garoppolo "very underrated" during the segment. 

"I wish I could just change it all for him because he's really a great dude and a great quarterback," Wilson added about his current QB1. 

Wilson and Garoppolo have been teammates since the ball-carrier signed with the 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2018. Since that time, Garoppolo has started two NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl with the Niners. 

Garoppolo lost his starting job to 2021 rookie Trey Lance earlier this year but returned atop the depth chart when Lance suffered a season-ending broken right ankle during what became a Week 2 win over the Seattle Seahawks. Jimmy G has gone 2-1 as a starter in Lance's place and will guide the 3-2 49ers into this Sunday's game at the 2-3 Atlanta Falcons. 

Credit Wilson for praising his quarterback and friend, but Garoppolo certainly hasn't consistently played at an elite level this fall. ESPN stats show the 30-year-old is seventh among eligible signal-callers with a 97.8 passer rating, 21st with a 41.4 total QBR, 25th with a 60.7% completion percentage, and sixth with an average of 8.0 yards per pass attempt. 

Garoppolo has thus far matched five touchdowns with one interception.