George Kittle isn't playing around heading into 2024.
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is all business this offseason.
Following the 49ers' second Super Bowl loss in five seasons, Kittle has a sense of urgency heading into the 2024 campaign and wants the rest of the team to follow suit.
“Got a really good roster, great coaches, great players, ready to win,” Kittle said, via David Bonilla of 49ers Webzone. “I'd say that's the state of the franchise. Need to win now.”
San Francisco has arguably the most talented roster in the NFL. It has been knocking on the door for the better part of the last half-decade, but it has been unable to deliver. Kittle clearly wants to finish the job this time around.
“Your one goal is to make it all the way, make it through the entire season, and then get to the end and win,” added Kittle. “And, unfortunately, we didn't do it again. So it's just like, all right, gonna climb the mountain again. This time we just have to win.”
The Niners have lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in both of their Super Bowl defeats.
Can the 49ers avoid the Super Bowl hangover?
Historically, teams that lose the Super Bowl don't go very far the following season. Heck, the 49ers themselves went just 6-10 in 2020 after losing to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl the year prior. That marks the only time San Francisco has missed the playoffs over the last five years and counting.
Kittle and the Niners are clearly the favorites to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl yet again, but that doesn't mean they won't face fierce competition in the process.
Let's not forget that the 49ers actually trailed the Detroit Lions 24-7 at halftime in the NFC Championship Game this past January, and the Lions will be back and hungrier than ever in 2024. The conference also features clubs like the Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams, all of whom will be vying for NFC supremacy.
So, the road certainly won't be easier for the San Francisco this coming season. As a matter of fact, it might be more difficult.
Plus, the amount of pressure that will be on the Niners in 2024 will be like nothing these guys have ever experienced before.
Everyone knows that the 49ers pretty much have to win next season. Not just because some players are getting older, but because it is going to become harder and harder for the front office to keep this incredibly gifted core together. Heck, there was even trade speculation surrounding wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk this offseason due to his contract demands.
Just getting to the Super Bowl is a most arduous task in and of itself, but even that wouldn't be satisfactory to San Francisco. As glamorous as making it all the way to the Super Bowl is, it would be a failure for the Niners to get there only to lose.
It's harvest time for the 49ers. Kittle obviously knows that, and he wants the players, the coaching staff and the entire organization to get the memo.
