San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is an All-Pro. He's possibly the best all-around player in the league at his position. He's one of the best pass catchers at tight end, and he's likely the best blocker, as well.
That said, Kittle isn't the player that the 49ers offense runs through. That would be running back Christian McCaffrey, the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year. Kittle is an excellent option for QB Brock Purdy, but when the 49ers' signal-caller is in trouble, or no one is getting open, and he needs to get the ball out, McCaffrey is more often the one who bails him out. And that doesn't even mention the 49ers running game.
But don't tell Kansas City Chiefs tight end, Travis Kelce. He believes the 49ers should be running things through his buddy, Kittle.
Nicholas McGee, who covers the NFL for A to Z Sports, wrote on Tuesday that Kelce, while appearing on 'Bussin' With the Boys' discussed beating Kittle and the 49ers twice in the Super Bowl. Kelce admitted that the goal is to win the Super Bowl and that he doesn't feel bad about beating Kittle's 49ers. But Kelce did say he would like to see his fellow tight end get more chances to impact games.
"I wish he would have had more opportunities to make plays though, I do wish that," Kelce said. "I think the [Kyle] Shanahan offense can get kind of tied up in, I mean it's Christian McCaffrey right now. It goes through him. They've got [expletive] talent all over the [expletive] field on the offensive side. I think that offense runs best when it's going through 85."
With all due respect to Kelce, he's not correct. For starters, he can't compare his situation to Kittle's situation. Kelce is QB Patrick Mahomes' top weapon. Kittle is not Purdy's best weapon.
Also, Kansas City doesn't have anyone quite like McCaffrey, who has been nominated for two ESPYS, one of which is 'Best NFL Player.' The NFL's leading rusher in 2023 scored 21 touchdowns last season and gained 2,023 yards from scrimmage. He also scored a touchdown in a record 17 straight games. McCaffrey is the player Shanahan needs to be running the offense through.
That doesn't mean Kittle isn't a dangerous weapon. He's just no McCaffrey.