George Kittle is the kind of NFL player who makes the tight end position look bigger than it is. He is a productive receiver, a punishing blocker and one of the most recognizable personalities on the San Francisco 49ers. Since entering the league in 2017, Kittle has built a career that combines elite production with a distinctly physical style of football.
For readers searching for George Kittle, the real interest goes beyond basic biography. They usually want to know who he is, how good he has been, what his career numbers look like, who his wife is, how old he is, and why the 49ers have kept him around for so long. Here’s the useful version.
Who Is George Kittle?
George Kittle is an American professional football tight end for the San Francisco 49ers. He wears No. 85 and has spent his entire NFL career with San Francisco after the team selected him in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft with the 146th overall pick.
Born on October 9, 1993, in Madison, Wisconsin, Kittle grew into a football player in Norman, Oklahoma. He attended the University of Iowa, where he played college football before entering the NFL. The 49ers list him at 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds.
What stands out about Kittle is that his value isn’t limited to catching passes. He has developed a reputation as one of football’s most aggressive and effective blocking tight ends, while also possessing the speed and athleticism to create explosive plays downfield.
That combination is a big reason his career has lasted at such a high level.
George Kittle’s NFL Career
Kittle entered the NFL with relatively modest draft expectations. Being selected 146th overall meant he wasn’t viewed as an immediate superstar.
That changed quickly.
As a rookie in 2017, Kittle caught 43 passes for 515 yards and two touchdowns. A year later, he exploded for 88 receptions, 1,377 yards and five touchdowns. His 1,377 receiving yards set an NFL single season record for a tight end at the time.
His 2018 season established the template for the player he would become: powerful after the catch, difficult to tackle and capable of turning relatively ordinary plays into major gains.
Kittle followed that breakthrough with another 1,000 yard season in 2019, recording 85 receptions for 1,053 yards and five touchdowns.
Injuries affected portions of his career, particularly the 2020 season, when he appeared in only eight games. Even so, he continued to produce when healthy.
By the end of the 2024 season, Kittle had already established himself among the most productive tight ends in NFL history. The 49ers reported that he had four career seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards, joining a small group that includes Travis Kelce, Tony Gonzalez, Rob Gronkowski and Jason Witten.
George Kittle Career Stats
Through the 2025 regular season, Kittle had appeared in 124 games and recorded:
| Statistic | Career total |
|---|---|
| Receptions | 595 |
| Receiving yards | 8,008 |
| Receiving touchdowns | 52 |
| Yards per reception | 13.5 |
| Longest reception | 85 yards |
| Games played | 124 |
| Starts | 116 |
These numbers come from NFL career statistics.
His production is especially impressive because he has consistently been more than a short yardage possession receiver. A 13.5 yard career average shows how often San Francisco has used him as a legitimate downfield weapon.
His 2024 season
Kittle had one of the strongest seasons of his career in 2024.
He finished with:
- 78 receptions
- 1,106 receiving yards
- 8 touchdowns
- 14.2 yards per reception
He led the 49ers in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. He also led NFL tight ends in yards per reception that season.
That performance earned him another Pro Bowl selection and second team Associated Press All Pro recognition.
His 2025 season
Kittle’s 2025 regular season was shortened to 11 games. He finished with 57 receptions for 628 yards and seven touchdowns.
His game by game numbers also showed how productive he could be when healthy. Against Indianapolis, for example, he caught seven passes for 115 yards and a touchdown in a 48 27 San Francisco victory.
Why Is George Kittle So Good?
The easiest way to understand Kittle is to watch what he does when he doesn’t have the football.
A lot of tight ends are essentially oversized receivers. Kittle isn’t. He is regularly involved in blocking schemes, and his physicality allows the 49ers to use him in different formations without making the offense predictable.
Then, once the ball is in his hands, he becomes a completely different problem.
Kittle runs well for a player his size and has excellent yards after catch ability. He doesn’t simply catch a pass and fall down. He attacks defenders, keeps his legs moving and looks for additional yardage.
That physical mentality has become part of his identity.
His receiving numbers back it up. Across his career through 2025, he averaged 13.5 yards per reception, with 125 receptions of at least 20 yards.
George Kittle and the 49ers
Kittle has become one of the defining players of the modern 49ers.
San Francisco drafted him in the same first draft class assembled by general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan in 2017. He has remained with the organization ever since.
The relationship became even more secure in April 2025, when the 49ers announced a four year contract extension that keeps Kittle under contract through the 2029 season.
That decision says plenty about how the organization views him.
Kittle isn’t simply a veteran receiver. He’s a leader, a locker room personality and an important part of the team’s offensive identity.
The 49ers also recognize his importance to the wider community. The organization highlighted his military community work when announcing his extension, including his support for veterans and military nonprofits.
George Kittle’s Awards and Achievements
Kittle’s résumé is already substantial.
He has been selected to the Pro Bowl six times and earned five Associated Press All Pro selections: two first team selections and three second team selections.
Some of his biggest accomplishments include:
- NFL single season tight end receiving record at the time with 1,377 yards in 2018
- Four 1,000 yard receiving seasons
- Six Pro Bowl selections
- Five AP All Pro selections
- 8,000 plus career receiving yards
- More than 50 career receiving touchdowns
- San Francisco’s franchise records for receptions and receiving yards by a tight end
The 49ers reported in 2025 that Kittle had become the franchise’s leader among tight ends in both receptions and receiving yards.
George Kittle’s Age and Height
George Kittle was born October 9, 1993.
That makes him 32 years old as of September 2026.
The 49ers list his height at 6 feet 4 inches and his weight at 250 pounds.
Those measurements help explain why he can play such a physical role without being limited to traditional tight end routes.
Who Is George Kittle’s Wife?
George Kittle is married to Claire Kittle, formerly Claire Till.
The couple met while attending the University of Iowa. Claire was a member of Iowa’s basketball team, while George played football. The 49ers’ official biography confirms that Kittle is married to Claire and that he majored in communications at Iowa.
Claire has also been involved in sports and has appeared alongside George in various public and charitable activities.
Their relationship has remained a familiar part of Kittle’s public life, although Kittle’s football career remains the main focus of his professional profile.
George Kittle’s Contract
Kittle’s current long term future with San Francisco was secured in 2025.
The 49ers announced a four year contract extension on April 29, 2025, taking him through the 2029 season.
The extension followed an excellent 2024 season and reinforced the team’s commitment to keeping one of its most important veterans.
For Kittle, it also continued a relationship that began when San Francisco took a chance on him in the fifth round of the 2017 draft.
That makes his career arc particularly interesting: a mid round selection who developed into a franchise player and one of the NFL’s premier tight ends.
George Kittle’s Impact Off the Field
Kittle’s influence extends beyond statistics.
The NFL recognized him with the 2024 Salute to Service Award for his commitment to the military community. The 49ers have also highlighted his work supporting veterans and military families.
According to the 49ers, Kittle has donated more than 400 game tickets, supported military nonprofits with more than $250,000 in contributions and helped create projects designed to amplify veteran stories and support veterans’ mental health.
It’s an important part of his story because Kittle’s public persona isn’t built solely around football. His energetic personality gets plenty of attention, but his community work has become a meaningful part of his reputation as well.
Is George Kittle One of the Best Tight Ends Ever?
That debate is much more interesting than it was early in his career.
Kittle’s statistical résumé puts him firmly in the conversation. Through the 2025 regular season, he had 8,008 receiving yards and 52 touchdowns, along with 595 receptions.
He has also produced four 1,000 yard seasons, something only a handful of tight ends in NFL history have accomplished.
The biggest argument in his favor isn’t just his receiving statistics. It’s the complete package.
Kittle can line up as a traditional tight end, move into the slot, attack the middle of the field, stretch defenses vertically and contribute as a blocker in the running game.
That versatility makes comparisons with other great tight ends more complicated. Some players have better career totals. Others have more championships or longer careers. But Kittle’s combination of receiving production, blocking and physicality gives him a strong case as one of his generation’s best all around tight ends.
You may also read more blogs
Best Budget Laptops for Students in 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is George Kittle?
George Kittle was born October 9, 1993, making him 32 years old as of September 2026.
What team does George Kittle play for?
Kittle plays tight end for the San Francisco 49ers, the team that drafted him in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
How many receiving yards does George Kittle have?
Through the 2025 regular season, Kittle had 8,008 career receiving yards.
Who is George Kittle’s wife?
George Kittle is married to Claire Kittle, formerly Claire Till. She was a basketball player at the University of Iowa.
How long is George Kittle’s contract?
The 49ers signed Kittle to a four year contract extension in 2025 that runs through the 2029 season.
How many Pro Bowls has George Kittle made?
Kittle has been selected to six Pro Bowls, according to the 49ers.
The Bottom Line
George Kittle’s career is a good reminder that draft position doesn’t tell you how a player will ultimately be remembered.
The 49ers found him in the fifth round in 2017. Nearly a decade later, he is a franchise record holder, multiple time All Pro, six time Pro Bowler and one of the most recognizable tight ends of his era.
The numbers tell only part of the story. Kittle’s real value comes from the way he plays aggressive, physical and willing to do the less glamorous work that makes an offense function.
And with his contract keeping him in San Francisco through 2029, his 49ers story still has several chapters left to write.
