George Kittle, the 31-year-old tight end for the San Francisco 49ers, has been a key player in the NFL for 7 years since being drafted from Iowa in 2017.
Known for his exceptional blocking and receiving skills, Kittle has become one of the league’s premier tight ends.
Kittle’s significant contract with the 49ers reflects his value to the team.
Signed for 5 years at $75 million, the deal included an $18 million signing bonus and $40 million in guaranteed money.
With a 2025 cap hit of over $22 million and a cash payout of $15 million, his career earnings have surpassed $62 million.
Parents
George’s parents are Bruce Kittle and Jan Krieger.
Bruce Kittle, a former football player at the University of Iowa and co-captain of the 1981 Big Ten Championship team, transitioned into coaching at both the University of Iowa and the University of Oklahoma.
Today, he works as a criminal defense attorney. Jan Krieger, inducted into the Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union Hall of Fame, excelled in basketball and softball at Drake University.
While supportive of her son’s career, Jan tends to keep her personal life private.
Married for nearly four decades, Bruce and Jan have two children, George and Emma.
Emma Kittle, who played volleyball at both the University of Iowa and the University of Oklahoma, now works as a yoga instructor designing programs for NFL players.
Career
Kittle’s college career at the University of Iowa was a story of steady progress.
Initially, he had a limited role, gradually earning more playing time through hard work.
Although his early years from 2012 to 2014 saw him facing injury challenges, he improved his blocking and receiving skills.
His junior year in 2015 marked a turning point as he became a more consistent target, demonstrating his ability to make tough catches and score in the red zone.
As a senior in 2016, Kittle continued to be reliable despite inconsistencies in Iowa’s offense, further proving himself as a versatile player and improving his draft stock.
Kittle’s NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers has been remarkable. Drafted in the fifth round, he quickly exceeded expectations.
In his rookie season, he showed promise, and in 2018, he broke out, setting a then-NFL record for receiving yards by a tight end.
From 2019 onwards, Kittle became a cornerstone of the 49ers’ offense due to his blocking and receiving skills.
His blocking is among the best in the NFL, and he is known for his excellent hands, route running, and strength after the catch.
He has earned six Pro Bowl selections and has been named a first-team All-Pro twice.
He was a key player in the 49ers’ Super Bowl runs, and despite changes at quarterback and evolving strategies, he has remained a consistent and productive player, recording a career-high of 11 touchdowns in the 2022 season and finishing that year with 65 receptions for over 1,000 yards.
Kittle’s dedication to improvement and combination of athleticism, skill, and tenacity have cemented his status as one of the most impactful tight ends in the NFL.
