Insider: 49ers need to start planning for life without George Kittle (2024)

Insider: 49ers need to start planning for life without George Kittle (1)

Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports


By David Bonilla

Apr 4, 2024 at 4:15 PM--


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Insider: 49ers need to start planning for life without George Kittle (2)

George Kittle's passion for football is undeniable, and the San Francisco 49ers' tight end seems determined to keep playing until he physically can't anymore. While he played 16 games last season, Kittle has been no stranger to injuries over his career. Much of that can be attributed to his physical playing style and desire to contribute to the run game with his aggressive blocking.

Kittle is entering his eighth NFL season and turned 30 in October. San Francisco has long sought to provide some depth at the position to alleviate the workload on their All-Pro player but has yet to be successful. Kittle played 895 offensive snaps during his 2023 campaign, a significant margin ahead of the next 49ers tight end, Charlie Woerner, who tallied 312 snaps before signing a free-agent deal with the Atlanta Falcons.

"They got to start making some plans, perhaps for life after George Kittle," Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area recently shared on the "49ers Talk" podcast. "I know that's kind of odd to say because it seems like he's just so young, and he just, not too long ago, broke into the NFL. But he is 30 years old."

The 49ers attempted to bring in Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright, offering a three-year, $12 million deal to the restricted free agent. However, the Lions matched the offer, keeping him in Detroit.

Regarding the attempt to add Wright, Maiocco stated, "It's a clear indication that they're looking to beef that up."

The reporter notes that San Francisco sought help for Kittle last year by drafting Cameron Latu and Brayden Willis. However, Latu spent the season on injured reserve, and Willis played only 48 snaps.

Matt Barrows of The Athletic recently noted that the 49ers anticipated a steep learning curve for Latu, and the recent attempt to acquire Wright might suggest the team is skeptical that the second-year player can develop into a significant contributor in 2024.

Yes. The 49ers expected it would take some time for him to adapt. The question is whether he can do so this year. (Their move for Brock Wright suggests they're skeptical)https://t.co/cPARrIJIqs https://t.co/CSMCx2g7o4

— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) April 3, 2024

Unable to bolster the tight end group in free agency, the 49ers will likely turn to the upcoming draft. The team has reportedly expressed interest in Erick All of Iowa, Ja'Tavion Sanders of Texas, Mason Pline of Furman, Isaac Rex of BYU, Jaheim Bell of Florida State, Theo Johnson of Penn State, and Jared Wiley of TCU at various stages of the pre-draft evaluation process.

For a comprehensive overview of all reported formal and informal meetings between the 49ers and prospective NFL rookies, visit our pre-draft tracker.

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Insider: 49ers need to start planning for life without George Kittle (2024)

FAQs

Insider: 49ers need to start planning for life without George Kittle? ›

"They got to start making some plans, perhaps for life after George Kittle," Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area recently shared on the "49ers Talk" podcast. "I know that's kind of odd to say because it seems like he's just so young, and he just, not too long ago, broke into the NFL. But he is 30 years old."

Who is George Kittle's wife? ›

Claire Kittle rang in her 30th birthday with an epic trip to Mexico - alongside her 49ers star husband George and a group of friends. Claire and George, who met at the University of Iowa and wed in 2019, were seen in a series of loved-up pictures posted to her Instagram.

Who did the 49ers get in free agency? ›

49ers 2024 free agency tracker: Offseason moves, signings
  • Leonard Floyd, DE.
  • De'Vondre Campbell, LB.
  • Maliek Collins, DT.
  • Yetur Gross-Matos, DE.
  • Jon Feliciano, G.
  • Joshua Dobbs, QB.
  • Jordan Elliott, DT.
  • Rock Ya-Sin, CB.
Apr 11, 2024

Why are they called 49ers What did they need to have in order to be successful? ›

Sorrell suggested the team be named "49ers" after the voyagers who had rushed the West for gold. It is the only name the team has ever been affiliated with and San Francisco is the only city in which it has resided. The original team logo depicted San Francisco's wild beginnings.

How many snaps has Trent Williams played? ›

Blocking
Offense Snaps Played809
Run Block Snaps Played
Penalties9
Sacks Allowed0
Hits Allowed
2 more rows

Does George Kittle have a child? ›

George and Claire have a dog but they do not have kids. In February 2023, the travel enthusiast revealed that she had an ectopic pregnancy after initially finding out she was expecting a child on Christmas Day 2022. She found out the devastating news during a routine ultrasound on January 10, 2023.

What did Taylor Swift say about George Kittle? ›

Taylor Swift told 49ers star George Kittle will make her 'rethink' Travis Kelce relationship. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce might well be one of the most adored couples in the world right now, and at the very least, the pair have taken the NFL by storm.

Who will be a free agent in 2025 in the NFL? ›

NFL Free Agency 2025: Predictions for the Top 20 Players
  • Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars. ...
  • Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings. ...
  • Jordan Love, QB, Green Bay Packers. ...
  • CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys. ...
  • Tristan Wirfs, OT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. ...
  • Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys. ...
  • Amon-Ra St. ...
  • Jared Goff, QB, Detroit Lions.
Apr 8, 2024

Who did the 49ers let go? ›

The 49ers have released DL Arik Armstead, re-signed QB Brandon Allen to a one-year deal, signed OL Colton McKivitz to a one-year extension and signed S George Odum to a two-year extension. The 49ers have tendered a one-year contract to restricted free agent WR Jauan Jennings. The 49ers have released CB Isaiah Oliver.

Who have the 49ers lost in free agency in 2024? ›

Notable Free Agent Losses
  • Arik Armstead.
  • Charlie Woerner.
  • Javon Kinlaw.
  • Sam Darnold.
Mar 18, 2024

Where do most 49ers players live? ›

Morgan Hill's population is around 45,000, and SFGATE has counted 10 of those residents over the years as 49er players. Some players have either grown up in town, like Randy Kirk, Jeff Ulbrich and Rhett Hall, or have already moved on, like Trey Lance or convicted sex offender Dana Stubblefield.

What does 49er mean in slang? ›

49er" is a specific term used to refer to people involved in the gold rush of 1849 in the Western U.S. It has nothing to do with age.

Did most 49ers get rich? ›

Most of the fortune seekers in the California gold rush were young men. These 49'ers left behind families and jobs in the hope of becoming rich right away and never having to work again. Most did not get what they had hoped for.

Who weighs the most in the NFL? ›

Aaron Gibson is the heaviest NFL player in history, though there are some high school and college players that could soon take his title.

Who is 71 on the 49ers? ›

Trent Williams - San Francisco 49ers Offensive Tackle - ESPN.

What does Claire Kittle do for a living? ›

While she and George lived in Iowa City, Claire ran a personal training business called Claire Till Fitness and taught barre classes, according to her LinkedIn.

Where do George and Claire Kittle live? ›

Kittle spends his time during the season in the Bay Area, but during the offseason, he returns to his family home in Nashville. The property covers 75 acres and has its own fitness center and golf course. Realtor.com shared that Kitlte bought the property in Green Hills in May 2020 for $940,000 and has four bedrooms.

Are George Kittle's parents still married? ›

Kittle is the son of Bruce Kittle and his wife, Jan Krieger. The couple has been married for almost four decades now and have two children together named George and Emma Kittle.

How tall is Kittles' wife? ›

Claire Kittle was born on May 24, 1994, making her 29 years old. She stands tall at a height of 5 feet 11 inches (1.84 meters). Claire's athletic background is reflected in her physical stature.

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