Since stepping on the field for the San Francisco 49ers last season, there has been a tremendous amount of buzz surrounding quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo's future prospects with the franchise. This has already led to him earning a new deal that has made him the highest-paid quarterback in the league, signing a contract for five years worth $137.5 million.

Garoppolo has created a huge sense of optimism about him potentially stepping as the next great quarterback for the franchise. However, during an appearance on NFL Network's Good Morning Football on Tuesday, Hall of Famer Joe Montana said that he believes it's a “little early” to be placing that label on the 26-year-old.

“I think it's still a little early for it, myself. He's obviously has a lot more success in the games he’s played in so far than the other quarterbacks that have been there recently. I think there’s a lot of excitement in the Bay Area about it. I think this year will be a big tell on it. They paid a lot of money for him. I think there is a belief that he will be there for awhile.”

There is much gravitas to Montana's opinion, as he has held that role with the franchise while being in the argument as the best quarterback of all-time. This isn't to say that he isn't on board with Garoppolo potentially being billed as that for his former team, but he is just wary of placing that title on the gunslinger this quickly.

Garoppolo has shown much in is brief time with the franchise, helping lead them to wins in each of his first five starts while passing for 1,542 yards, the most by a quarterback in franchise history over that span.

Joe Montana
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Garoppolo also became the first 49ers quarterback since 1970 to win each of his first three road starts. This alone has only heightened the level of expectations around him and the franchise over the next several seasons.

That said, Garoppolo will have a chance to start fulfilling those lofty aspirations in the 2018 campaign as the unquestioned starting quarterback on a revamped roster that is being built around him. It simply comes down to him taking advantage of the opportunity in front of him to lead the franchise back to relevancy and success.