The 2024 season has been a challenging one overall for the San Francisco 49ers, with ups and downs throughout. However, in the midst of a tough year, one player has continued to shine brightly, providing a much-needed spark for his team. That player is All-Pro tight end George Kittle, whose individual achievements this season are nothing short of remarkable.
Kittle entered the 49ers’ final home game of the regular season against the Detroit Lions with a clear goal in mind: he needed just 33 receiving yards to hit the prestigious 1,000-yard mark for the season. It didn’t take long for Kittle to accomplish this feat—just two catches, in fact. In the first quarter, he caught a 15-yard pass, and then followed it up with a 20-yard reception, bringing his total to 1,000 yards for the season in impressive fashion.
This achievement was no small feat. Kittle now joins an elite group of players in NFL history, marking his fourth season with over 1,000 yards receiving. Only a handful of tight ends in the history of the league have accomplished this, cementing Kittle’s place among the greatest to ever play the position. With his latest 1,000-yard season, he becomes just one of five tight ends in NFL history to reach this milestone four times. The other players in this exclusive group include legends like Travis Kelce, who leads the way with seven 1,000-yard seasons, as well as Tony Gonzalez, Rob Gronkowski, and Jason Witten, who each had four such seasons themselves.
But Kittle’s accomplishments don’t stop there. His achievement also places him among the very best in San Francisco 49ers history. He becomes one of just three players in the storied history of the franchise to record four seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards. He joins the ranks of Hall of Famers Jerry Rice, who recorded an astounding 12 such seasons, and Terrell Owens, who had five. These two wide receiver legends are icons of the game, and Kittle’s name now belongs in the same conversation.
When asked about his place in history and his legacy as a player, Kittle remained humble, focusing on the present rather than dwelling on his career achievements. “I’ll look back on that whenever I’m done playing,” he said. “It is what it is, but I’m just very excited that I’ve got to spend eight years with the San Francisco 49ers. Hopefully, I’ll continue to play here because it’s a storied franchise. And hopefully, I can eventually catch [Terrell Owens].”
Kittle made it clear that while he greatly respects the accomplishments of those who came before him, particularly the legendary Jerry Rice, he’s content with his own journey. “I don’t think I’ll ever catch Jerry Rice on anything, but that’s totally fine,” he said with a smile. “I’m okay with that. I don’t think I want to play that long.”
Kittle’s words reflect his grounded approach to his career. While he acknowledges the greatness of Rice, Owens, and others, his focus remains on his own game, his team, and continuing to build on his own legacy with the 49ers. If he can maintain his current level of performance into 2025, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Kittle could one day surpass Owens’ impressive 1,000-yard season count, further solidifying his place in NFL history.
Kittle’s 1,000-yard season is a testament to his resilience, skill, and dedication to his craft. Despite the team’s struggles in 2024, he continues to be one of the shining stars for the 49ers, and as long as he stays healthy, his legacy will continue to grow. Whether or not he catches Owens or ever approaches the legendary Rice’s numbers, Kittle is undeniably one of the best to ever play the position, and his future remains as bright as ever.
