The future is suddenly bright for the 49ers.

Just ask Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

And Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald.

After their round together Thursday at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Spyglass Hill, the future Hall-of-Famers were asked about the 49ers and their quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, whose five-year, $137.5 million contract was reported when they were on the course.

“It’s crazy in football,” Rodgers told The Chronicls’ Ron Kroichick. “A lot of times it takes just one or two guys in the right spot. And when you get John Lynch as the GM, Kyle Shanahan as the head coach and Jimmy G as the quarterback, that’s what a franchise is looking for.”

Said Fitzgerald, whose team beat the 49ers in November when the just-arrived Garoppolo was on the bench: “He played lights out in those five games he played -- I’m glad he sat out the game we played them. But he really did a great job for them, and he’s deserving of whatever he gets. John Lynch has done a good job putting a squad together. They’re young, they’ve got a lot of weapons, young defensive players, they’re going to be good for years to come.”

Like Garoppolo, the longtime caddy for Tom Brady, Rodgers began his career by backing up Brett Favre for three full seasons. Another similarity: In 2008, the Packers made Rodgers the NFL’s fourth-highest paid QB (by annual salary) after he’d made just seven starts. Garoppolo’s deal makes him the league’s highest-paid, by annual salary, after seven starts.

“I’ve gotten to know a little bit over the years, he’s been part of Tom Brady’s group,” Rodgers said. “He’s a fantastic guy. We text a little bit during the year. He’s just got a real steady way about him, and I think that translates to the field well. He’s very easy to talk to and be around. Like I said, he just has an ease of confidence about him, that I’m sure his teammates will gravitate toward. I’m really happy for him.”

Added Rodgers, whose Packers will host the 49ers in 2018: “I think they’ve done some great things. John Lynch knows the game, and he’s going to bring in the right types of guys. I’ve got a ton of respect for coach Shanahan - I think he’s a fantastic football mind. What he did in Atlanta was spectacular, they had a fantastic offense. And you saw it last year with the 49ers, when Jimmy started playing and started playing well.”

Twitter: @Eric_Branch