George
Kittle

George made a big impact for the 49ers during their October 26 game at the Texans in 2025. He booked four catches on five targets and piled up 43 yards, with a 17-yard touchdown grab late in the first half – his first of two gains that covered that distance.

The most consistently productive tight ends in NFL history are a modern fraternity. Kittle is part of the club. In 2024, he turned in his fourth 1,000-yard season to become the fifth tight end to do so. Travis Kelce had seven, with Rob Gronkowski, Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten also having four.

Kittle possesses endless charisma and one of the most well-rounded skill sets in the game. "Everyone sees Kittle and he's funny, he's got the great personality, and that's really who he is," quarterback Brock Purdy said. "But I think that's who he is because he's confident in his work, his preparation."

Kittle was at ease while preparing for the 2025 season. "My anxiety has been lower than it ever has going into a training camp," he said on The Richard Sherman Podcast. "Just comfortable with the offense, every single day, day around football."

You've heard of National Tight Ends Day, right? Happens all the time in San Francisco. Kittle and his position mates in 2018 came up with the phrase to describe excellent game from their room. "It's an invitation to be a contributor, a pass catcher, a run blocker or as an overall teammate," the All-Pro said.

A do-it-all tight end, Kittle is just as strong on deep routes as he is in the red zone. In 2024, the 49ers star averaged 14.2 yards per reception and from the end zone eight times, helping him earn All-Pro honors. He became the first tight end to average 14 yards and score eight times in a season since 2013.

The tight end spot continues to evolve in the NFL, and Kittle is a leading innovator. One of the best playmakers ever at his position, he became the fourth TE in league history to tally at least 7,000 receiving yards across his first eight seasons in 2024, joining Antonio Gates, Rob Gronkowski and Travis Kelce.

A do-it-all tight end, Kittle is just as strong on deep routes as he is in the red zone. In 2024, the 49ers star averaged 14.2 yards per reception and found the end zone eight times, helping him earn All-Pro honors. He became the first tight end to average 14 yards and score eight times in a season since Jared Cook (2019).

A six-time Pro Bowler, George posted his fourth 1,000-yard receiving season in 2024, making him just the fifth tight end to produce that many. He needed only six catches to pile up 151 yards in a 38-13 win over Chicago in Week 14. That came on the heels of an eight-game stretch in which Kittle caught eight touchdown passes, including two on October 10.

Fans in Kansas City (and fans of a certain pop singer) might disagree, but Kittle is the No. 1 tight end in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus. The 49ers star received the analytics website's highest overall grade for a TE in 2023 (87.7) and highest run-blocking grade (81.1), compared to Travis Kelce (81.1, 46.9).