There have been several sad chapters to this NFL season, and George Kittle and the San Francisco 49ers were pretty much a part of them. Although Kittle’s numbers were sparkling, the team was not without its ups and downs: injuries, unreliability, and playoff insecurity. Kittle, though, was still a force to be reckoned with, finishing the year with 76 receptions for 1,079 yards and 11 touchdowns. A Pro Bowler yet again, he showed why he is still one of the league’s best tight ends, as a player and as a leader.

But there’s always a better team behind the great player and for George Kittle that was his wife, Claire Kittle.

This season was “dark,” as Mrs. Kittle aptly put it in an Instagram story, but George became “a light” that she never forgot. Her speech was not mere praise, but the language of their collective grit in the face of personal and professional struggles. Why shouldn’t Claire’s commitment to him be just as big a star as her husband’s on-field glory as the 49ers season came to a close?

“Best in the world, A light amongst the darkness this season, Forever proud of you my G,” wrote Claire in her story, accompanying a photo of George at the end of his milestone-rich season. She is as flamboyant with her pride as she is sincere. Whether that’s going to the games in patriotic 49ers gear, or turning their basement into a holiday playground, Claire is not a spectator to Kittle’s story. She’s his cheerleader, his girlfriend, and his rock during the NFL rollercoaster.

This season pushed them both in ways nobody else ever does. George’s frantic schedule, his resistance to losing, and the never-ending demands of playing at the top could kill any player. But not Kittle’s — not with Claire in his corner. Mrs. Kittle’s continued to hammer home the message of positivity, keep a smile on her face when it’s game day, and manage her exciting career alongside his. She is not just his girlfriend; she is the Kittle kind of stubborn and happy.

Claire doesn’t play football, yet she’s a star herself. This college basketball player-turned-wellness influencer has taken her place in the public sphere with grace and humor. She and George are the couple who stand for an uncommon modern romance: one of mutual drive, mutual respect, and an unusual capacity to have fun even in the face of celebrity. But, what’s next for the 49ers?

The 49ers’ quarterback quandary

Brock Purdy: the ultimate NFL underdog that leaves San Franciscans wishing for Super Bowl confetti. But now, as the 49ers look to decide what deal to sign him next, “The Mr Irrelevant” of the 2022 Draft is getting his jimmy on. He’s come out of nowhere, gotten to the Super Bowl, and made the 49ers win it all during his rookie season, but Purdy isn’t just a good guy. Purdy still threw 20 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and 3,864 yards in 2024, despite losing the likes of Brandon Aiyuk and Christian McCaffrey in injuries, figures that beg an upgrade for his $985,000 salary.

Both head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch see Purdy’s upside. Shanahan, the architect of San Francisco’s offense, said Purdy was “our guy” and reaffirmed the team’s belief in him taking the Niners back to heaven. So, George Kittle is not alone in this one; the eponymous cornerstone has done some writing. Kittle and Purdy have created an off-field chemistry that has defensive coordinators sleeping at night. Purdy can look ahead to a much-needed raise when he’s on the side of teammates such as Kittle who has the hard-nosed loyalty of this franchise.

But don’t forget Purdy’s trajectory from late pick to franchise QB. It’s an arc reminiscent of Kittle’s own as he went from fifth-round tight end to one of the league’s best. The two don’t share a dressing room, they share an undying hunger to snuff out skeptics. Purdy didn’t have as good a year in 2024 as his rookie season, but the 49ers management knows stability under the center is valuable. If Shanahan can be innovative with play-calling, if Kittle emulates more highlight-reel catches, and if Purdy remains pressure-tolerant, the trio could be another chapter in San Francisco’s epic history.

During the offseason, everyone’s watching the Niners front office. Will they hold Purdy on loan and equip him to make another Super Bowl run? The thing is: Brock Purdy isn’t begging for a deal. He’s pleading for belief in the dream he’s had since that last pick. Shanahan, Lynch, and 49ers fans, it’s time to ask: Does greatness come with a price tag?