The San Francisco 49ers have looked like one of the NFL's best teams through the start of the 2026 season, and tight end George Kittle says it's no surprise they're performing so well.
Appearing on "The Rich Eisen Show" this week, Kittle broke down why San Francisco's offense has been humming from the jump.
"I think the biggest thing is that this is essentially like the same offense we've had for quite a while now," Kittle said. "It's the same starting O-line as last year, the same quarterback, the same fullback, the same running back, the same tight ends. The wide receiver room has changed a little bit, but Deebo [Samuel]'s been a part of it before, and I think Mike Evans would work in any offense because of how good he is."
The 49ers return the
same starting offensive line from a year ago, with Brock Purdy still under center, Kyle Juszczyk at fullback, Christian McCaffrey in the backfield, and Kittle anchoring the tight end room. As Kittle mentioned, the receiver room endured the biggest shakeup. San Francisco added Evans this offseason and reunited with Samuel after a year apart and would have had rookie De'Zhaun Stribling had he not suffered a serious ankle injury. Demarcus Robinson is back, but battling his own injury, and the team also added Christian Kirk and Brandin Cooks alongside young receivers Jacob Cowing and Jordan Watkins.
Kittle didn't stop at skill-position personnel and continuity. He also pointed to the individual talent the 49ers have stacked around him, particularly left tackle Trent Williams and now Evans.
"I got really lucky — I got to play with Trent Williams," Kittle said. "Hall of Famer, plays like a Hall of Famer still. Mike Evans, Hall of Famer, plays like a Hall of Famer still. Every time we call a play and I know Mike has a chance getting the ball, I'm like, this is so sick — Brock Purdy's throwing the ball to Mike Evans and I'm blocking for him. What a dream come true."
For a Kyle Shanahan offense that has cycled through skill-position pieces over the years, the mix of a stable core plus a proven veteran like Evans slotting in has given San Francisco one of its most cohesive starts in recent memory. And it's helped fuel the team's impressive 2-0 start to the 2026 season.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: George Kittle credits one key factor in 49ers' hot 2-0 start
