George Kittle discusses how the 49ers have matured, the respect Jimmy Garoppolo has earned

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle might have had a record-breaking season last year, but there is no doubt that he and his teammates are having a lot more fun this year. Winning will do that.

After winning just 10 games over the past two seasons, the 49ers are 6-0 heading into this weekend's matchup against the Carolina Panthers. It's San Francisco's best start in nearly 30 years.

Kittle joined NFL Total Access after Thursday night's game between the Minnesota Vikings and Washington Redskins and was asked what the biggest difference has been for 49ers players this season.

"I think a lot of it is we've had a lot of guys just grow up, myself included," Kittle told Lindsay Rhodes. "We were very young the last two years, and Coach Shanahan, I think everyone knows, he's got a pretty complex playbook, pretty dense, and it takes some time to get used to — the whole terminology and everything.

"Now we've got Jimmy who's been in it for two years. I think everyone just kind of figured it out. Like I said, we've got a really close team, and a lot of good guys, a lot of good character. The hard work is finally paying off."

Kittle points out that each opponent prompts the 49ers offense to do entirely new things each week, which makes playing within the offense complicated but a lot of fun because the plan of attack is never the same from week to week.

Rhodes also asked Kittle what the best thing is about his quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo. He answered with a story from Garoppolo's first game as the 49ers' starting signal-caller.

"The best thing about Jimmy? I think I've said it about 100 times, but just the leadership that he brings," Kittle said. "My favorite thing about Jimmy was, I think it was his first start against [...] the Bears two years ago, and he came down the sideline, and he said something.

"Every single head on the entire sideline snapped towards him, whether it was defensive players, offensive players, specialists, coaches, equipment staff, trainers. Everyone turned to listen to what he had to say.

"I don't know if there are a lot of guys that are like that, that carry that weight and that authority with them, but he does, and that was in his first career start with us. So he's definitely got the respect from every single person in this building."

NFL Total Access

One other cool thing from the interview was that Kittle, The People's Tight End, was presented with a custom championship belt to sign in honor of the upcoming National Tight End Day. It featured his initials and photo in the middle. Kittle was asked to sign the belt. It will be presented to the best tight end (I assume as far as fantasy points go since Rhodes loves her fantasy football) each week, who will also sign it.

The belt will be auctioned off at the Super Bowl in February, and the proceeds will go to the Iowa Children's Hospital.