Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson has been called a 'freak' by Jimmy Garoppolo of the San Francisco 49ers, ahead of their clash on Sunday night.
The Broncos and the 49ers face-off at the Empower Field in Denver in the late game of the day, with both teams heading into the match with a 1-1 record. Garoppolo has faced Wilson many times over his NFL career, so knows what to expect from the former Seattle Seahawks QB, but through his experience he's called him a 'freak'.
Wilson has a Super Bowl title to his name, and is adjusting to life in Denver after leaving Seattle at the end of last season. But even though he's had a slow start to this season, Garoppolo is wary of the threat he offers.
When asked about Wilson ahead of Sunday's clash, Garoppolo said: "Tremendous player, just a freak athlete. Makes plays that shouldn't be made. But he does it, he has that unique ability to extend the plays.
"And I haven't really had much time to meet him off the field, but on the field, the dude is as competitive as it gets and it's fun to go against him. As weird as that sounds, it is."
Although the pair have met on the field countless times, it was never expected that it would be for the Broncos and the 49ers this season. Seattle were convinced that they would be holding on to Wilson, and it looked certain that Garoppolo would leave San Francisco.
However, Wilson departed and Garoppolo was even a name mentioned to take his place in Seattle. But the 49ers quarterback stayed put, and it just so happens that Trey Lance has received a season-ending injury, meaning that Garoppolo is back in the starting spot once more.
Garoppolo is relishing the opportunity now that it's come his way, and he added: "You always want to be on that field, so you always have that in your mind. You're preparing that way and then just for how things have worked out, it's pretty crazy.
"Everything happens for a reason. I'm a big believer in that and it's just another opportunity." However, he paid tribute to the unfortunate Lance, and offered some advice for the young quarterback who will have to wait for next season to get going
"There is a moment where you feel like your life is over and you feel like I can never get back to where I was," Garoppolo said. "But that passes and you just have to hit a point where it does pass and you mentally move on from that.
And there will be hurdles for him to overcome, but I've been around Trey for a couple years now and he's a tough dude, so he'll be alright." Garoppolo's full focus is now on Denver, and he's expecting a very physical test.
"Very physical, they're physical up front, we know a couple guys over there, [Denver Broncos DL] D.J. [Jones], [Denver Broncos DB] K’Waun [Williams], great players and it goes across the board. They chase the ball. It's a well-coached defence, you can tell. And so it'll be tough for us, but it'll be a good test.""
