The San Francisco 49ers selected tight end George Kittle in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft—head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft together. Since then, Kittle has developed into one of the NFL's premier tight ends, earning seven Pro Bowl nods and five All-Pro selections.
It's tough for 49ers fans to imagine Kittle in another uniform. It's even more unsettling to consider that he nearly landed with a division rival.
Kittle joined CNBC's Alex Sherman over the weekend and reflected on his draft experience, revealing that he initially believed he was headed to the Seattle Seahawks.
"I never even talked to the Niners at all, besides they took me on an official visit out there," Kittle said. "But they didn't call me again—nothing—and so, I had no idea what to expect. And then, got that call, and I was like, 'Oh, this is going to be pretty fun.'"
Kittle also thought another hated rival could be in play. The Dallas Cowboys stayed in frequent contact with him throughout the pre-draft process.
"They talked to me a ton throughout the whole process," Kittle said. "From the Combine, before the Combine, at the Combine, after the Combine, workouts and stuff, I talked to them a ton. And then, didn't hear anything from them on draft day."
Growing up a fan of the Chicago Bears, Kittle envisioned being drafted by his childhood team. Ultimately, though, he was focused on simply getting an opportunity, and believes he landed in the right spot.
"But was really just like, just let me get my foot in the door, at any building, and I'll show what I'm made of," Kittle said.
Now preparing to enter his 10th NFL season, Kittle has totaled over 8,000 receiving yards and 52 touchdowns. He ranks third in franchise history in receiving yards and is closing in on the No. 2 spot, currently held by Terrell Owens with 8,572 yards.
And to think, all of that production nearly belonged to the Seahawks.
"My agent was on the phone with their GM, so I thought that was pretty funny," Kittle added. "Like, 'Yeah, we're taking him with the next pick,' and then I was like, 'Oh, going to San Francisco instead.'"
H/t to Niners Wire for the find.
Mentioned in this article: George Kittle
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