Richard Sherman says Jimmy Garoppolo isn't to blame for Super Bowl loss

Despite leading the San Francisco 49ers to a Super Bowl, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has not been immune to criticism, including some who think he didn't do enough to lead the team to a win over the Kansas City Chiefs. However, 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman shut down any negative talk about Garoppolo, saying that the defense was responsible for the Chiefs' comeback.

"It's just barbershop talk. It's just something to have a topic. It's just foolish," Sherman said in an interview on KNBR Radio. "... When you hear them blaming Jimmy, Jimmy doesn't play defense. We had a 10-point lead. We get the guy a stop, we win the game."

The 49ers held a 21-10 lead over the Chiefs deep into the fourth quarter before Patrick Mahomes sparked yet another postseason comeback for the team. The Chiefs managed to score 21 points in the game's final 6:13, enough to earn the franchise its first Super Bowl in 50 years.

While the Chiefs offense flourished, the 49ers offense sputtered. On the team's final four possessions, San Francisco managed two punts, a turnover on downs and an interception. It was a disappointing breakdown for one of the most dominant offensive forces in the league and it led to some fans questioning Garoppolo.

In his first full season as a starter, Garoppolo played well, leading the 49ers to a 13-3 record while throwing 3,978 yards and 27 touchdowns. But despite his solid play, there are still those who believe the team would benefit from a quarterback upgrade.

Fortunately, it sounds like Sherman is not one of those naysayers, as he went out of his way to show support for his quarterback. Is it enough to shut up the critics? Probably not but it will certainly help Garoppolo to know that he has the support of one of his most outspoken teammates.