'We all have something to prove every single day' — 49ers TE George Kittle speaks out on the criticisms of Brock Purdy
Brock Purdy is the latest quarterback to get a major payday, receiving a five-year, $265 million contract extension from the San Francisco 49ers back in May. It's now time for Purdy to prove that he can consistently be mentioned among the elite QBs on the NFL. Despite having already led San Francisco to a Super […]
Brock Purdy is the latest quarterback to get a major payday, receiving a five-year, $265 million contract extension from the San Francisco 49ers back in May.
It's now time for Purdy to prove that he can consistently be mentioned among the elite QBs on the NFL. Despite having already led San Francisco to a Super Bowl and earning a Pro Bowl nod, not everyone is sold that he can live up to his new contract.
All-Pro tight end George Kittle joined the "Up & Adams" show on Tuesday, and was asked by host Kay Adams why Purdy still has something left to prove despite Kittle posting the best statistics of his career with Purdy as his QB.
"I would say we all have something to prove every single day," Kittle said. "So for the people that like saying that he's got something to prove, good for them. I think Brock is going to continue to elevate his game and continue to play at a high level, and that's all we really care about. I just want to be around guys that strive to be better every single day. I don't like being around people who are content, because complacency is not a good thing in the locker room. If our best players are continually practicing their asses off, continually getting better every single day, they have that desire to get better every day. I'm in a great room, I'm in a great building. I'm just happy to be around guys that are like that. And Brock is definitely one of those guys."
Adams also asked Kittle how he reacts when he hears people in the media debating whether or not Purdy can live up to his contract.
"I think our team has done such a good job of building our culture of getting into the building, grind, work really hard, attack every single day, and the outside noise will take care of itself," Kittle said. "Playing quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers is one of the biggest spotlights in sports because of the guys that played before us. I think that's just what comes with the job. [I'm] not too worried about Brock. He was in Nashville with me a bunch this year, and we got to run a bunch of routes together and work out together. That is one determined person, and his work ethic has been awesome. [I'm] looking forward to getting back into the building next week."
Purdy and Kittle's connection should be dynamic yet again in 2025, especially with the question marks that S.F. currently has at wide receiver. The pair have hooked up for over 1,000 yards in each of the last two seasons, as well as 14 touchdowns during that span. The 49ers' offense as a whole will be leaning on Purdy more than ever to elevate them in 2025.
