"Energetic and explosive," quarterback Brock Purdy said in an interview for the reveal. "You get the ball in his hands, man, he can run past guys, break tackles. And he's funny. On the sideline, he's asking me for some Toyotas and talking about commercials and stuff, like, mid-game. And I'm like, 'Bro, lock in.'"
Kittle, 31, is coming off another standout season for the 49ers. In 2024, he played 15 games, hauling in 78 receptions for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns. His performance earned him his sixth Pro Bowl selection and second-team All-Pro honors.
Since entering the league in 2017, Kittle has topped 1,000 receiving yards in four seasons, amassing 7,380 career yards and 45 touchdowns. He's been a consistent and trusted target for every 49ers quarterback he's played with, with Purdy being the latest to benefit.
"And Kittle makes it easy because he's got unbelievable route-running ability to create separation," defensive coordinator Robert Saleh recently said. "And he's a big body that still has all the speed he had when he was a younger man. He's still young.
"It's a testament to Kittle, doesn't matter who the quarterback is—he's going to work relentlessly with that quarterback and with himself to put himself in position to be a playmaker."
The rankings for the following 49ers players have been announced so far:
- TE George Kittle: No. 31
- OT Trent Williams: No. 45
- DE Nick Bosa: No. 57
- RB Christian McCaffrey: No. 73
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers' George Kittle is running routes and confident he'll be 100% healthy by Week 1
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle knows the NFL season is a marathon, not a sprint. That's why he has no intention of rushing back from the torn Achilles he suffered on January 11 if it jeopardizes his long-term health. Still, the All-Pro tight end is optimistic... -
49ers' Fred Warner tumbles in NFL Top 100 after injury-shortened season
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner is widely regarded as one of the NFL's premier defensive players. However, the four-time All-Pro's 2025 season was cut short by a significant right ankle injury, a setback that appears to have impacted his standing among his... -
Schefter on 49ers TE George Kittle's Week 1 return: 'I don't think it's a given'
All signs continue to point toward San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle achieving his goal of returning for Week 1 of the 2026 season, when the 49ers face the Los Angeles Rams in Australia. Kittle is just six months removed from suffering a torn Achilles during San... -
George Kittle's latest recovery video should get 49ers fans hyped
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle suffered a torn Achilles during a playoff game in January. Just six months later, the All-Pro appears well on his way to being ready for the start of the 2026 season. On Friday, strength and conditioning coach Josh Cuthbert shared a...