Kittle reveals which young NFL tight end is impressing him originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
George Kittle is essentially the face of the NFL’s tight-knit brotherhood, with the 49ers star always doing his best to improve fellow players at the position.
During an interview on ‘Cleats and Convos with Deebo Samuel’, Kittle revealed which young tight end is impressing him the most right now.
“I’m a big fan of Trey McBride for the Arizona Cardinals. I like him. He’s in a system [where] Kyler Murray trusts him and throws him the ball often. He catches everything, he runs fast. He is a threat in the running game. Like he’s not the best outside-zone blocker, but like he gets to the second level and is kind of a d–k to people, and I respect that in the run game. He makes an effort. I’m a big fan of Trey McBride. He’s coming along.”
McBride is in his third NFL season after being selected No. 55 overall by the Cardinals in the 2022 NFL Draft. Before entering the league, McBride said Kittle was a player he modeled his own game after.
Colorado State’s Trey McBride said George Kittle was a player he modeled his own game after
I asked Trey if he has contacted George yet
Here was his answer pic.twitter.com/p0nLFTnrPp
— Jordan Elliott (@splash_cousin) March 2, 2022
McBride competed at Kittle’s Tight End University in June and received high praise from the All-Pro tight end.
“Trey Mcbride for Arizona is a young guy who had a great year last year,” Kittle said. “He’s going to keep getting better,” Kittle said at Tight End University.” (h/t PHNX Cardinals)
“Trey McBride for Arizona is a young guy who had a great year last year. He will only get better.”
Speaking at TE University, San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle believes the Cardinals’ third-year player is part of the next wave of greats at the position. pic.twitter.com/BrVRD61q3F
— PHNX Cardinals (@PHNX_Cardinals) June 19, 2024
While Kittle’s 49ers dominated the Cardinals during McBride’s NFL tenure, Arizona finally defeated San Francisco for the first time since the young tight end entered the league in 2022 with an improbable 24-23 victory in Week 6.
With these two tight ends set to meet at least twice a season for the foreseeable future, McBride will still have plenty of opportunities to earn Kittle’s respect, and perhaps join the San Francisco star join the ranks of the NFL’s elite tight end.
Download and follow the 49ers Talk Podcast
