The San Francisco 49ers are thriving this season.

Speculations about their decline were proven false after a strong 36-24 victory against the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night. This win put the 49ers back in first place in the NFC West.

If there’s any player who has played a pivotal role in keeping the reigning NFC champions competitive amid injuries and inconsistent performances, it’s All-Pro tight end George Kittle.

“He’s an incredible player,” said San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy during Prime Video’s postgame show, “TNF Nightcap,” after he connected with Kittle for two touchdown passes.

“When you get the ball in his hands, he can break tackles and is just explosive for a tight end. He’s always open; give him a chance, and he makes great things happen.”

Kittle made a 10-yard touchdown catch early in the third quarter, skillfully placing both feet inside the pylon before being pushed out of bounds. Later, during the fourth quarter, he scored another touchdown from 9 yards out, slipping into a crowded field to become the target Purdy needed for the game-winning play.

Despite missing a game due to a hamstring issue that kept him out during a Week 3 loss against the Los Angeles Rams—a game where the 49ers lost a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter—Kittle is tied for the league lead with five touchdowns this season.

“We discuss this frequently; it’s an area we need to improve on,” Purdy stated. “Our coach reminds us that regardless of the score, our offense should be able to score points when needed.”

Kittle has taken on that challenge, scoring in each of the last four games. According to Pro Football Focus, he’s currently ranked as the No. 3 tight end in the NFL.

For Kittle, who is a team captain and has been instrumental in leading the squad to four NFC Championships and two Super Bowl appearances in the past five seasons, this year is especially meaningful. He recognizes that the 49ers could look quite different next year, especially with quarterback Purdy eligible for a significant contract extension that could change the dynamics of this talented roster. It’s likely that this is the best chance for San Francisco to capture its first Super Bowl in 30 years.

“Winning is extremely important to me; it’s a lifelong dream,” Kittle shared with YSL News Sports while promoting DirecTV’s streaming service, allowing viewers to watch the NFL and other sports without a satellite connection.

(In addition to football, Kittle enjoys using DirecTV’s feature to watch his alma mater, the University of Iowa, and has been keen to catch games featuring Hawkeye alum Caitlin Clark. But on Thursday night, he didn’t need to use this feature; he visited his wife right after scoring his second touchdown.)

“I don’t need anyone to motivate me to play football; I don’t require a pep talk. I have a true passion for the game—it’s a living, breathing entity. You must respect it and put in the hard work; if not, the game can tell if you’re slacking. I always strive to give my best every day,” he stated.

“I know I’m a great football player when I’m healthy. And even when I’m not, I’m still pretty good.”

His accolades, including five Pro Bowl selections, reflect his talent, and his performance continues to back it up. Even after missing a game, no other tight end in the NFL matches Kittle’s total of 28 receptions.

He also believes that the team’s struggles this summer, when key players like left tackle Trent Williams and wideout Brandon Aiyuk held out for contract negotiations that were eventually settled before the season’s start, did not negatively affect the squad depth, despite the injuries to key players like All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey, kicker Jake Moody, and Pro Bowl cornerback Charvarius Ward.

“Our energy feels very similar to last year—our team is still intact, and our core group remains strong,” Kittle said. “We’re incredibly motivated because we haven’t yet fulfilled our goal of winning a Super Bowl.”

“As long as we have our core players, I believe we can win many games.”

However, consistency has emerged as an issue recently.

Defensive end Nick Bosa acknowledged that the 49ers treated the Seattle game as crucial. Head coach Kyle Shanahan mentioned post-victory that the team is still “disappointed about those two losses” against divisional rivals (the Rams and Cardinals) and indicated that perhaps a historically strong team had become “a bit complacent” and “too relaxed.”

The 49ers are gearing up for a pivotal rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs, followed by upcoming games against the Dallas Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

One person who truly gets the importance of this moment for the 49ers is George Kittle, an eight-year player who celebrated his 31st birthday on Wednesday.

“One key lesson I learned over the years,” Kittle shared, “is that as a rookie, I didn’t grasp the urgency of the situation, and it was similar in my second year. However, once you play alongside veterans like Joe Staley and Richard Sherman near the end of his career, you begin to realize just how crucial every moment is.”

“Since 2019, I’ve really understood the need to win and how vital it is to seize every opportunity because team rosters change significantly year after year. I still feel great physically, and I’m planning to keep playing until I can’t anymore, or until the league decides to move on without me.”

“I intend to make the most out of every single day I have on the field.”

Fortunately for the 49ers, Kittle has consistently followed through on his commitment.

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