George Kittle on NFL Physicality, QB Protection, and the Seahawks’ Defense
George Kittle has never been one to shy away from contact - or from speaking his mind. Even with his ankle still in a boot, the 49ers' All-Pro tight end made it clear during a Super Bowl week appearance on The Pat McAfee Show that he believes the NFL is - and should remain - a violent, physical game.
Kittle, who was one of several key 49ers players to go down with injuries this season, didn’t back away from the reality of the sport. In fact, he leaned into it.
“The game is getting more dangerous and violent - and it should be that way,” Kittle said.
That’s a bold statement in an era where the league has made a concerted effort to reduce injuries and protect its stars, especially quarterbacks. But Kittle, known for his old-school toughness and physical style of play, isn’t buying into the idea that the NFL should go soft - particularly when it comes to roughing the passer penalties.
“I think they still need to work on roughing the passer. I think that’s outrageous still,” Kittle said.
“If you get hit in the head … I don’t think that should be a thing unless you get hit helmet-to-helmet on a quarterback. If a [defensive lineman] is swiping to hit a ball and you accidentally hit the quarterback in the head, that shouldn’t be a 15-yard penalty.
Stop making it so easy on offenses.”
It’s a sentiment that resonates with a lot of defensive players and old-school fans. The league’s current rules, designed to protect quarterbacks from unnecessary hits, have sparked plenty of debate - and Kittle is adding his voice to the chorus calling for more balance between safety and the physical nature of the game.
Despite being sidelined, Kittle is staying engaged with the game and focused on his recovery. He’s also keeping a close eye on the Super Bowl - and he knows one of the teams very well.
The 49ers faced the Seattle Seahawks three times this season, and Kittle had high praise for the NFC West rival’s defense, drawing a direct comparison to the 49ers’ own dominant 2019 unit.
“Their defense reminds me of the defense I had in 2019,” Kittle said. “They come off the ball, they hit you in the face really, really hard. They penetrate against the line of scrimmage; your offensive line is always in the backfield and their DBs take advantage of that.”
That kind of defensive pressure - especially when it comes from just four rushers - can change the entire dynamic of a game. Kittle pointed to Seattle’s ability to generate interior pressure with elite defensive tackles, which shortens the time defensive backs have to cover.
“When you only have to rush four guys, especially when you have elite defensive tackles on the inside, then your DBs are only covering for three, four seconds instead of five, six seconds,” he added.
It’s a formula that worked wonders for the 49ers in their 2019 Super Bowl run, and Kittle sees similar DNA in Seattle’s current group. Physical, fast, and disruptive - it’s the kind of defense that can swing postseason games.
For now, Kittle is focused on getting healthy and watching from the sidelines. But make no mistake - he’s still very much in tune with the pulse of the game. Whether it’s calling out the league’s rulebook or breaking down elite defensive schemes, Kittle continues to be one of the most insightful voices in football - even when he’s not on the field.