George Kittle has been a revelation for the 49ers offense this season, and Jimmy Garoppolo says it all starts with one thing.
Jimmy Garoppolo, the 49ers quarterback, said that George Kittle has one crazy habit that fuels the 49ers offense.
In San Francisco, the Jimmy Garoppolo era is still going strong. For at least the first half of the season, he has held off rookie quarterback Trey Lance. Through the first two weeks of the 2024 season, Jimmy G has been impressive. He explained what motivates the 49ers’ offense. One of the driving factors is George Kittle’s vigor.
Garoppolo discussed a tendency his tight end has that catches everyone’s attention.
In the huddle, George Kittle speaks to himself.
During a 49ers game, Jimmy Garoppolo and George Kittle chat | Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
The San Francisco 49ers’ emotional leader is George Kittle. His enthusiasm is contagious, and it makes him one of the league’s most popular players.
Jimmy Garoppolo spoke on The Rich Eisen Show to discuss the remainder of the season’s prospects, as well as other subjects. Rich Eisen inquired about Kittle’s demeanor in the huddle from the signal-caller. Garoppolo replied, “There are a million different Kittle’s.”
Jimmy G and Kittle have spent the last four seasons in San Francisco together, so he’s spent a lot of time with the Madison, Wisconsin native.
“I really like the enthusiasm he exudes. Garoppolo remarked, “He’s on it all the time.” Kittle, he said, is revved up and ready to go no matter what the scenario is.
The 49ers offense, according to Jimmy G, thrives on the energy of their star tight end. He remarked about Kittle, “He’s in his own zone a little bit.” “At times, he seems to be talking to himself… The boy may be a pain at times, but I adore him.”
Kyle Shanahan is likely hoping that the All-Pro tight end keeps doing what he’s doing because it’s working for him.
Kittle has developed into one of the best tight ends in the NFL.
George Kittle was selected by the 49ers in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Iowa. His draft status isn’t unexpected given that he wasn’t the most productive tight end in college. In ten seasons with the Hawkeyes, he only caught 48 receptions for 737 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Kittle was a late-round steal for the Niners’ front staff. In the 2017 draft, he was selected ahead of eight tight ends, yet he has exceeded them all.
The Iowa product didn’t have a great start to his career, but he had a breakthrough year in 2018. He has a total of 88 catches for 1,377 yards and five touchdowns. Kittle was named to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his second season in the league.
In 2019, he went on to have another 1,000-yard and five-touchdown season, earning him another Pro Bowl berth.
Kittle was injured for half of the 2024 season, but when fit, he’s one of the greatest tight ends in the league.
While he’s a terrific pass catcher, his blocking ability may be his best asset. He’s a tenacious run-blocker, making him perhaps the position’s most complete player.
According to Jimmy Garoppolo, the 49ers offense may be perplexing at times.
For a young quarterback like Jimmy Garoppolo, having an exceptional receiving threat like George Kittle was a boon. After being traded from the New England Patriots to the San Francisco 49ers, the Eastern Illinois product was met with unrealistically high expectations.
Jimmy G has never lived up to the expectations that surrounded him leading up to the 2014 NFL Draft and during his tenure in New England. He has, however, been able to keep his starting quarterback position with the 49ers for the time being.
On The Rich Eisen Show, Garoppolo discussed his time with Kyle Shanahan’s complex 49ers system. “Sometimes it’s simple, one call, and we’re off and running. Occasionally, there are numerous calls,” he said.
Shanahan sometimes speaks to other coaches while handing him the play, which may be a problem, according to the eighth-year signal-caller.
Shanahan is one of the best offensive brains in the game, but his system isn’t always the simplest to grasp. Jimmy G said, “There’s an aspect of him setting up other plays with plays.” “It’s a good day to be a quarterback.”
The 49ers offense is also “confusing at times,” according to Garoppolo. Trey Lance is waiting in the wings, so he’d best hope he doesn’t get too confused.
Pro Football Reference provided all stats.
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