George Kittle may not be suiting up for the Super Bowl this year, but that doesn’t mean he’s staying out of the spotlight.
The All-Pro tight end’s season came to a painful end in the 49ers’ wild-card win over the Eagles, when he suffered a torn Achilles tendon. San Francisco went on to fall to the Seahawks in the divisional round, ending any hopes of a deep postseason run. And while Kittle won’t be on the field when Seattle takes on New England in Sunday’s Super Bowl at Levi’s Stadium, he’s still very much part of the conversation - even if he’s not exactly thrilled about it.
Speaking from San Francisco, where he’s attending an event with his wife Claire, Kittle was asked about watching the big game. His response? Classic Kittle.
“She makes me watch every Super Bowl even if I’m not in it,” he joked. “I might be playing video games, I don’t know. I hope both teams lose.”
That’s the kind of honesty fans have come to expect from one of the league’s most charismatic players. And while the comment drew laughs, it also reflects the competitive fire that’s fueled Kittle throughout his career.
Sitting on the sidelines while two conference rivals battle it out for the Lombardi Trophy? Yeah, that’s not exactly his idea of a good time.
But while Kittle’s season is over, his recovery is just beginning - and he gave an update this week that sheds some light on the road ahead.
Speaking on The Pat McAfee Show, Kittle detailed the early stages of his rehab process. “When I’m at my house, the nice thing is, too, my trainers are coming to me right now, which is really convenient,” he said.
“But I do a whole bunch of iso holds, ankle stuff. Basically, I have a three‑inch heel lift in my boot right now, so I can stand up on this right now and just hang out.”
That heel lift is helping him stay mobile, but walking is still off the table - at least for now. “I’ll be in a shoe next week, and I’ll be back and forth between a shoe and a boot,” Kittle said. “Then I’m on crutches for another two to three [or] four weeks, and then I’m rolling again.”
It’s a long road ahead, but if anyone’s built for it, it’s Kittle. The 30-year-old put up another strong campaign in 2025, hauling in 57 catches for 628 yards and seven touchdowns in just 11 games. Even in a shortened season, he remained one of the most dangerous weapons in Kyle Shanahan’s offense - a relentless blocker, a mismatch nightmare, and the emotional heartbeat of the team.
For now, though, his focus is on healing. And while he may not be thrilled about watching the Seahawks and Patriots face off on his home turf, you can bet he’s already thinking about what it’ll take to get back there next year - this time, in uniform.
Because if there’s one thing we know about George Kittle, it’s that he doesn’t stay down for long.