George Kittle isn’t worried about the criticism surrounding Brock Purdy’s massive contract extension. The San Francisco 49ers tight end made it clear on Up & Adams that his quarterback isn’t fazed by the pressure to prove his worth after signing a five-year, $265 million deal earlier this offseason.
What Does George Kittle Think About Brock Purdy’s Critics?
“For the people who like saying that, you know, he’s got something to prove, good for them,” Kittle said. “I think Brock is just gonna continue to elevate his game, continue to play at a high level. And that’s all we really care about.”
Purdy’s deal, which averages $53 million annually and includes over $180 million guaranteed, makes him one of the highest-paid players in NFL history. That represents a meteoric rise for a former seventh-round pick once dubbed Mr. Irrelevant.
However, Kittle believes Purdy’s work ethic and leadership justify every cent.
“Playing QB for the San Francisco 49ers is one of the biggest spotlights in sports”
George Kittle on handling criticism of Brock Purdy @heykayadams | @gkittle46 @brockpurdy13 @49ers pic.twitter.com/ZYvX54WZmi
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) July 15, 2025
“I just want to be around guys that strive to be better every single day,” Kittle added. “I don’t like being around people who are content because complacency is not a good thing in the locker room… Brock’s definitely one of those guys.”
How Has Brock Purdy Proven Himself to His Teammates?
Purdy, 25, has become one of the faces of the franchise in just three seasons, posting 3,864 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and a 96.1 passer rating in 2024. Though the 49ers struggled to a disappointing 6-11 finish amid injuries and a reshuffled offensive line, Purdy was one of the team’s few bright spots.
“He was with me a bunch this year and we got to run a bunch of routes together,” Kittle said. “That is one determined person.”
Purdy’s poise under pressure and steady improvement since taking over midway through the 2022-23 season have cemented his status in the building, even if national pundits still question whether he can carry a Super Bowl-caliber team.
Kittle doesn’t buy into the outside noise, unless it comes from one particular source.
“I’m pretty good at ignoring the noise besides the things she sends me,” Kittle joked about his mom. “She sees everything, she sends it to me and says, ‘Did you see these guys?’ I’m like, ‘I was trying not to see them, Mom, but thank you.'”
What Are The 49ers’ Expectations For The 2025-26 Season?
With training camp around the corner, Purdy and the Niners are focused on a bounce-back campaign in 2025-26. Kittle says their culture remains strong despite the previous season’s struggles.
“Our team has done such a good job of building our culture,” he said. “Get into the building, grind, work really, really hard… The outside noise will take care of itself.”
