Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
49ers TE George Kittle identifies where he can improve this offseason
Feb 15, 2021 at 4:45 PM
•
Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
San Francisco 49ers tight end
George Kittle can do it all. He excels as both a receiver and a run-blocker, making him the complete package. Still, there is always room for improvement.
According to Pro Football Focus, only six of Kittle's 63 targets this past season went for 20-or-more yards. The All-Pro tight end hauled in four of those pass attempts for 131 yards. To his credit, one was determined to be uncatchable, leaving Kittle with just one drop. He would love to create more opportunities as a downfield target, though.
Kittle spoke with Chris Simms of NBC Sports last week and was asked what he hopes to work on this offseason to improve his game in 2021.
"I would like to get better at the longer-distanced routes, some longer-distanced third-down stuff, just getting open in man coverage," Kittle responded. "I think there's definitely plays that I could have made this year that I didn't make. So, just being able to finish those plays. And that's just confidence in yourself, how you talk to yourself, so I'm not too worried about that. But it just gives me something to work on, just consistency."
Kittle also wants to improve his availability. He missed two games in 2019 but still racked up 1,053 yards receiving. Kittle only appeared in eight games this past season after missing time with an MCL sprain and then a broken bone in his foot.
"And obviously staying on the field and being healthy is the one thing I would love to be able to do this year, and I need to do," added Kittle.
Kittle was just one of several 49ers players who missed significant time in 2020. The injury-plagued season resulted in just six wins and a last-place finish within the NFC West. San Francisco is expected to be much-improved in 2021, but only if Kittle and the team's best players can stay on the field.
You can listen to the interview with Kittle below. It was released in its entirety as part of the latest
Chris Simms Unbuttoned podcast.
Related News
Facebook Comments
More San Francisco 49ers News
New Netflix show "Receiver" will feature 49ers' Deebo Samuel and George Kittle
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
49ers' George Kittle, Charvarius Ward underwent surgeries; Dre Greenlaw aiming for Week 1 return
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
No Huddle Podcast: 49ers Offseason Crossover With John Chapman
(Episode 323) — Brian Renick and Al Sacco welcome Josh Chapman of the 49ers Rush podcast for a special crossover episode. The guys discuss the trade rumors with Brandon Aiyuk, if he is a top-10 wide receiver, the offensive line aging, how the 49ers plan to build the line, the biggest concerns in the secondary, who to draft in the 1st round, and more.
The audio for the show is embedded above. Remember to subscribe!
You can listen to the latest "No Huddle Podcast" episode above, from our dedicated podcast page, on
49ers Notebook: Crucial offseason for Purdy; O-line confidence; Shanahan on new kickoff rule, Dobbs signing; Hufanga eyes training camp return
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan doesn't have to field as many quarterback questions as he did a year ago after Brock Purdy underwent surgery, the arrival of Sam Darnold, and the uncertainty surrounding the future of Trey Lance. The quarterback situation is clearer now than it has been in recent years.
For Purdy, this offseason holds significant importance. It marks the first time he can focus on on-field improvement during minicamps, OTAs, and training camp. While he had this opportunity as a rookie in 2022, he was buried on the depth chart, limiting his practice reps.
Last year, Purdy was still recovering from surgery to repair the torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow. He didn't get to throw to his teammates until training camp in