placeholder image

Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports


Mike McGlinchey calls George Kittle the ‘most-complete football player,’ says entire 49ers locker room is ecstatic for him

Aug 14, 2020 at 6:45 AM--


Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
George Kittle finally got paid and secured his long-term future with the San Francisco 49ers. His teammates could not be happier to have football's best tight end locked up for years to come. That includes offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey, who joined KNBR on Thursday night and discussed Kittle's massive five-year contract extension.

"Every single person in this locker room is ecstatic for him," McGlinchey told Mark Willard. "I don't know that I've ever been around a teammate or a player that's more deserving of something like this than George. The way that he works, the person that he is, the leader that he is, and the energy that he brings to our team every single day that he's here is a testament to what he has become in not only our team, but the league.

"George is deserving of every single penny that he gets, and he's earned that through hard work, dedication, and being a great teammate.

"Obviously, I think he's one of the best football players, not just tight ends. I hate that they all say that George is breaking the tight end market. I get that he's a tight end, but he's the most-complete football player that I've seen on tape in the last two years. And for him to have this kind of recognition of that success, and the person and the leader that he is, we couldn't be happier and couldn't be prouder of him."

It isn't just Kittle's ability to haul in passes or shed defenders for significant gains that have earned him the reputation of being the league's best tight end. Kittle is also a valuable run-blocker, willing to put his body on the line and do whatever is asked of him. He excels at it, too.

While Kittle's Pro Football Focus run-block grade of 78.2 ranks third (behind Maxx Williams and Dallas Goedert) among qualifying tight ends, his 94.4 overall and 94.3 receiving grades (including playoffs) topped all NFL players.

"Our offense goes as he goes," McGlinchey continued. "A lot of the things that we're able to do out on the edges and out in space, a lot of teams just can't fathom doing that because they don't have the players that we do. And we're very fortunate that everything we do starts through setting the edges, and gaining gaps on people, and being quick off the ball in the run game, and George embraces that mentality better than anybody out there.

"He is a tight end, he likes to catch the ball, and likes to set the yards records of tight ends in the history of the NFL, but he would consider himself a blocker first. And that's why he is who he is. And that's why he's had the success that he's had. It's because he does the things that no one else is willing to do."

You can listen to the entire conversation with McGlinchey below.




Facebook Comments



More San Francisco 49ers News


placeholder image

New Netflix show "Receiver" will feature 49ers' Deebo Samuel and George Kittle

By David Bonilla
Mar 19

After the success of "Quarterback," the NFL has announced a new series on Netflix called "Receiver." This series will follow a similar format but focus on those who haul in passes. San Francisco 49ers fans will be delighted to learn that two popular team players, wide receiver Deebo Samuel and tight end George Kittle, will be among those featured in the upcoming show. The two 49ers stars are among the most charismatic individuals on the roster, so it's easy to see why they were chosen for the series. The other stars of the show will be Davante Adams of the Las Vegas Raiders, Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings, and Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Detroit


placeholder image

49ers' George Kittle, Charvarius Ward underwent surgeries; Dre Greenlaw aiming for Week 1 return

By David Bonilla
Mar 25

According to general manager John Lynch, San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward wasn't the sole player to undergo core muscle surgery this offseason. Lynch disclosed to reporters at the NFL owners meetings on Monday that All-Pro tight end George Kittle also had the procedure. However, the silver lining is that both players are expected to be fully cleared for training camp, set to commence at the end of July. George Kittle and Charvarius Ward both had core muscle surgery this offseason and will be back, fully cleared, for


placeholder image

49ers view Isaac Yiadom as leading candidate to start at CB, says insider

By David Bonilla
Mar 21

The San Francisco 49ers' signing of cornerback Isaac Yiadom to a one-year deal wasn't a headline-grabbing move. It wasn't even the Bay Area team's most significant free-agency move thus far. That would be defensive end Leonard Floyd signing a two-year deal with the 49ers. However, San Francisco hopes Yiadom proves to be one of its more underrated signings. The 28-year-old defensive back is coming off his best NFL season. Yiadom's 81.1 overall grade and 80.4 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus were career highs. Opposing quarterbacks completed 50 percent of their passes (22 of 44) and owned an 84.4 passer rating when targeting the former New Orleans Saints defender in 2023. RELATED:


placeholder image

49ers actively negotiating with Brandon Aiyuk, not discussing trades, says John Lynch

By David Bonilla
Mar 25

General manager John Lynch addressed reporters at the NFL owners meetings on Monday, emphasizing the San Francisco 49ers' active pursuit of a contract extension for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. There has been significant speculation surrounding Aiyuk's status this offseason. The receiver is slated to play on his fifth-year option, which guarantees him $14.124 million in 2024. While the team would be content with Aiyuk playing on that fifth-year option, it would prefer to secure the star receiver to a long-term deal before he returns to the field. RELATED: Brandon Aiyuk reacts to John Lynch's latest contract negotiation


Latest

Trending News

Share 49ersWebzone