49ers might ask George Kittle to shed ‘left tackle B’ role vs. Vikings

Kittle jokingly questioned what his unconventional position would be called.

Kittle, an All-Pro player and the only tight end in franchise history with two 1,000-yard receiving seasons, came up with this humorous label when discussing his recent lack of pass-catching production.

In the team’s loss to the Browns, Kittle caught just one pass for a single yard. Two weeks earlier, in a victory against the Cardinals, he only had one catch for nine yards. To put this into perspective, Kittle, who is 30 years old, had never accumulated less than 10 receiving yards in a game during his first 85 career games. However, he has now had two such performances in the span of three games.

So what’s causing this dip in production? It turns out that Kittle has been playing the role of an elite and fierce blocker as a left tackle B. This means he has been asked to focus more on pass blocking this season, resulting in fewer opportunities for pass-catching. Kittle’s projected numbers for the season include 71 targets, 54 receptions, and 612 receiving yards, which would be his lowest since his rookie year in 2017, when he played more than eight games.

Despite the decrease in catches, Kittle remains focused on winning a Super Bowl and is not concerned about individual accolades. As a six-time team captain, he prioritizes the team’s success over his personal statistics.

The increased reliance on Kittle as a blocker is partially due to the team’s decision to start right tackle Colton McKivitz, a rookie who struggled against All-Pro pass rusher T.J. Watt in the season opener.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan admitted that he didn’t provide enough support to McKivitz during that game, leading to Watt’s three sacks. Shanahan also mentioned Kittle’s blocking responsibilities when explaining his reduced production.

Kittle understands the importance of protecting the quarterback and preventing similar outcomes to Watt’s performance. Although he would prefer more targets, he accepts his role in the game plan and is willing to do whatever is necessary for the team’s success.

The 49ers’ upcoming game against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night provides an opportunity for Kittle to shine. In his last four prime-time games, he has accumulated 18 catches for 337 yards and seven touchdowns.