George Kittle is loud, boisterous, and undeniably authentic. He’s equal parts tight end, entertainer, and chatterbox.
But there was a period — albeit brief — in Kittle’s 49ers career when he tried not to utter a word.
“My rookie year, you guys can ask [running backs coach] Bobby Turner, he was like, ‘I didn’t even know George Kittle had a voice,’ I never talked in meetings,” Kittle said.
A fifth-round draft pick out of Iowa in 2017, Kittle was an unheralded prospect who knew he’d have to make a name for himself on the field before he could be recognized off it.
“I had great [organized team activities] and that’s the only reason Joe Staley knew who I was, because I made plays,” Kittle said.
As he enters his 10th season with the 49ers, Kittle hasn’t stopped making plays. He has more than 8,000 receiving yards, 52 touchdowns, and has been named to seven Pro Bowls. The production has given Kittle a license to say whatever he wants, and he takes full advantage.
The rookie class, however, doesn’t need to follow in his footsteps. At least not yet.
“I always try to tell rookies that the only way you want people to know who you are is what you do on the field and not because you tell jokes and you’re funny,” Kittle said. “We don’t need that. Especially at the start of your career. This has been like the quietest rookie class I’ve ever been around.”
After De’Zhaun Stribling hauled in passes from Brock Purdy, Romello Height learned nuances of rushing the passer from defensive line coach Kris Kocurek, and Kaelon Black showed off an impressive burst in team drills, Kittle praised the 49ers’ newest players.
“This has been a really fun rookie class for me,” Kittle said. ”I’ve really enjoyed them. And hey, you want to have a conversation with them and they’ll definitely talk to you. But they understand that you’re here to work.”
The 49ers can’t count on any rookie becoming as productive as Kittle, Fred Warner, or Nick Bosa, but they probably need at least two or three to become above-average starters.
John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan drafted plenty of reliable contributors in 2024 and 2025, but there aren’t any headliners yet. Former first-rounder Mykel Williams, 21, is the best bet to emerge as a star, especially considering the second-year lineman is younger than Stribling, Height, and Black.
The trio’s added experience, though, should give them a chance to step in and help right away. At least that’s how Kittle sees it.
“I like older rookies,” Kittle said. “They’re ready to play. You don’t have to go through the immaturity part at the start. When you play with mature players, they just understand a sense of urgency. They’re just ready for it.”
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