What Brock Purdy had to say About George Kittle's Slow Start
George Kittle has been a non-factor for the 49ers so far this season.
Yes, he had a three touchdown performance against the Cowboys, but aside from that he has been mostly irrelevant. Considering that he is supposed to be regarded as a top tight end in the league, he isn't performing like it. Kittle does have to help pass protect and chip before he runs routes, but that doesn't mean he can't have his number dialed up.
He's basically been an unofficial offensive lineman because his run blocking has been more impactful than anything. You think the 49ers would've relied on him more in their loss to the Browns when Deebo Samuel and eventually Christian McCaffrey were lost for the game. But that didn't happen as he only received two targets. Maybe it is an issue with the connection he has with Brock Purdy, in which he was asked specifically about the slow start that Kittle is having on Friday.
"I think just the scheme of things, you know, that's sort of just how we've drawn things up," said Purdy. "That's how really the games have gone where other guys have popped open and stuff, and George has had to help out with protection, and he's done such a good job of doing that role, being in protection and checking out on the flat and stuff like that. And then when his opportunities come, we take advantage of it. But man, that's just sort of how it's gone so far."
Earlier in the week, I wrote about why Kittle is having a slow start to the season. Purdy's explanation gives credence to my theory. It's because Kittle isn't really being utilized or targeted too much. That is because of the abundance of talent in the offense, so Kittle no longer is one of the primary options. His use is better fit as a run blocker and a chip blocker. But I think Kyle Shanahan is also saving him for the second half of the season since Kittle always gets dinged up with an injury. Purdy echoes my point.
"We still have a whole basically second half of the season coming up where it's like, man, George can definitely get involved. He can get involved at any point in the game. So, that's just sort of how it's gone. It's not like we go into the game going, ‘George, you're not going to get the ball, it's going to be this, this, and this guy,’ it's just how it's gone, you know? But obviously, he's a threat. Everyone does like to scheme him up and try to stop George as best as possible, but it's how it's been.”
I fully expect Kittle to turn it up after the next few weeks if he's healthy. That is where the 49ers want him to be strong and build momentum going towards a playoff push. If he is still not making an impact beyond run blocking, then it is clear he is just an afterthought and potentially on the decline.
