© Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
SANTA CLARA — Richard Sherman, unprompted, turned into George Kittle’s Pro Bowl campaign manager when asked about his prolific performance Sunday.
“(Kittle) deserves everything he is getting,” Sherman said after San Francisco’s 20-14 win over Denver Sunday. “He deserves to be a Pro Bowler this year. He has been arguably the best tight end in football, no disrespect to (Travis) Kelce or (Rob Gronkowski) or any of those other guys who are playing good football.”
It’s fitting that superlative was applied to Kittle shortly after the superlative performance of his 28-game NFL career. On Sunday, Kittle caught seven passes for a career-high 210 yards and a touchdown. Kittle had catches of 85 yards (resulting in his only touchdown Sunday), 52 yards, and 31 yards. He also forced three defensive holding penalties.
Yet all of his production came in the first half. Kittle was just five yards away from breaking Shannon Sharpe’s all-time record for single-game production by a tight end, with 214 yards.
It seems unbelievable that a barren second half could follow one of the most prolific first halves in NFL history. Kittle was targeted just once in the second half, a result of shifting game plans, approaches, and the 49ers’ inability to string together drives like they did in the opening 30 minutes.
By the end of the game, seemingly everyone on the 49ers sideline knew Kittle was a short completion away from history. Shanahan said he had about seven people tell him what was at stake.
“I definitely apologized to him,” Shanahan said. “We were definitely debating on how we could do it there at the end. (I) didn’t think it would be a problem, but I wish that he did get it. To have that all in the first half, and only be five yards away, he had an unbelievable day. It sucked he didn’t get it.”
Quarterback Nick Mullens said he was told about the landmark when the 49ers kneeled the game away in the final minute.
“I thought about throwing him a pass there,” Mullens joked.
Kittle did not know about his proximity to Sharpe’s record until midway through the fourth quarter. He did not seem too affected about falling short.
“I was like, ‘Oh, really?’ That would be fun,” Kittle said. “Next time.”
On the day that accentuated his breakout sophomore season, Kittle accomplished several feats, including:
- Becoming the first 49ers tight end with a 1,000-yard single season. Kittle broke Vernon Davis’ previous franchise record of 965 yards in a single season for a tight end.
- Kittle’s 210 first-half yards are the most by an NFL player since the 1991 season.
- He amassed the third-most receiving yards for any NFL player this season, falling just short of league-leader Amari Cooper, who had 217 yards Sunday.
- Kittle’s 210 yards are the eighth-most in a game in 49ers history.
It is reasonable to think Kittle may have another shot at Sharpe’s record with the way his season, and featured role in the 49ers offense, is trending. The debate on Kittle is no longer whether he is a top-tier tight end, because that is clear. It is now whether he is the NFL’s very best tight end.
Kittle is in just his second professional season, but he has been consistent all year long, compiling more than 48 yards in 11 out of 13 games. He has gained at least 70 yards in eight games this year. He leads the 49ers in catches (71), targets (102), yards (1,103), and is second in touchdowns (four).
The tight end spot has become top heavy in recent years, mainly featuring Kelce, Philadelphia’s Zach Ertz, and New England’s Rob Gronkowki. Kittle is now part of that group. His 1,103 yards ranks second out of all NFL tight ends behind Kelce.
And Kittle may be the best blocker out of the bunch. Pancaking an opposing lineman or safety has almost become a weekly occurrence.
?? George Kittle's weekly fantastic block: pic.twitter.com/9MvEwGwVmn
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) October 10, 2018
Where Kittle has outdone the tight end competition around the league is his breakaway speed. Kittle has 574 yards after the catch, the fourth-most in the league and the most for any tight end this season. Kittle has three catches of 70-plus yards, the most in the NFL. No other tight end has one.
“The thing he is doing better, that I can say he has done better than any tight end I have had, is what he is doing after the catch,” Shanahan said. “He does a good job beating man coverage, and does a good job in his routes and does a great job blocking. But when that ball is in the air, the play is just starting. He is trying to catch it. He runs angry and runs confidently, that he expects to score on every look.”
It is no secret that Kittle is the 49ers’ best offensive weapon, yet his production has not suffered as his recognition has soared. He’s actually improving with time. Kittle has averaged more than 96 yards over the past six games. His production has also not dipped despite playing this year with three different quarterbacks.
Kittle is currently third in Pro Bowl voting for tight ends, which should please Sherman, one of Kittle’s biggest advocates.
“It’s not like it was a surprise we were throwing the ball to him against Denver, and they still couldn’t stop him,” Sherman said. “It’s not like we are trying to disguise things. He is just beating guys one on one and having a day. He had 210 yards in the first half. I don’t know if I have ever seen that done, period, in any game.”