George Kittle is feeling positive about the San Francisco 49ers’ offseason, especially after securing a new contract without a lengthy negotiation process.
But the star tight end’s good vibes extend beyond his own deal, as he’s also impressed by the unity and work ethic within the team.
While Kittle did miss a small portion of the team’s voluntary workouts before finalizing his contract, key teammates such as quarterback Brock Purdy and linebacker Fred Warner have been present as they navigate their own contract situations.
Kittle expressed that having Purdy at the workouts has been especially beneficial, noting that his presence contributes to building strong team chemistry.
“I’m happy that we don’t have a bunch of guys holding out for contracts,” Kittle said. “I’m glad that we are not having a super drama-filled offseason. I think every year of my career we’ve had a quarterback controversy at some point. And to not have that, it’s going great.”
Kittle emphasized that the calm, focused atmosphere at team facilities has been great for morale.
He pointed out that having most of the roster in attendance for workouts has fostered a positive energy, particularly as the team integrates several new faces from free agency.
“When you have everybody in the building or the majority of the guys in the building, just the energy in the locker room is fantastic, the weight room is awesome, guys are working really hard,” Kittle continued.
“We have a lot of new free agents this year, so you want to meet everybody. You want everybody to get to know you before you get into the grind of training camp.”
Although participation in the offseason program doesn’t always translate into success during the regular season, Kittle believes it’s a good sign that the 49ers are all on the same page following a terribly disappointing 2024 campaign.
With the team in a better place this offseason, Kittle and his teammates are setting the stage for a more cohesive and successful 2025 season.
What are your thoughts on Kittle’s comments? … We all know how talented (on-paper) the Niners are. Is this the year they finally get over the hump and win the Super Bowl???