Travis Kelce, regarded as one of the GOAT TE, claims George Kittle is the best tight end in the NFL before Super Bowl clash

Kelce claimed Kittle has been playing 'lights out' football all season.

Travis Kelce, regarded as one of the GOAT TE, claims George Kittle is the best tight end in the NFL before Super Bowl clash

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (86) greets Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) during Super Bowl LIV Opening Night at Marlins Park. (Image via IMAGO)

Travis Kelce is itching to face off against his counterpart, George Kittle, in the Super Bowl LVIII. The Kansas City Chiefs tight end only has praise for the San Francisco 49ers All-Pro player.

On Friday, before Chiefs practice, Kelce was speaking in front of the media when he was asked about his view on Kittle. The 34-year-old crowned the 49ers as the best tight end in the league.

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Kelce said,

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The king of tight ends, man. He's the best tight end in the league, and deservingly so this year, he's been playing lights out, playing the best football of his career.

Travis Kelce and George Kittle have been friends for years

Kittle had a remarkable year for the 49ers. In 2023, he played 16 games, catching 65 passes from 89 targets for 1040 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns, for an average of 15.7 yards per catch. He received a PFF grade of 87.6%.

Travis Kelce, regarded as one of the GOAT TE, claims George Kittle is the best tight end in the NFL before Super Bowl clash
Travis Kelce and George Kittle (Image via Imago)
I couldn't be more proud of him and couldn't be more honored, really, to go up against George in another Super Bowl. I can't say enough amazing things about who he is as a guy and who his family is, and I can't say a bad thing about him; it's going to be a fun time.
Kelce added

Both tight ends have been friends for a while. They often catch up during offseasons and, on occasion, spearhead campaigns. The pair even co-host “Tight End University,” a three-day summit every offseason for the league’s tight ends.

Since joining the NFL, both players have been equally impressive. The Kansas City Chiefs drafted Travis Kelce in 2013. In 159 games, he has recorded 11,328 receiving yards and 74 touchdowns, becoming the Chiefs all-time receiver and 4th on the all-time receiving yards by a tight end list.

The 49ers drafted George Kittle in 2017 in the 5th round out of Iowa. In 90 games, Kittle has recorded 6,274 yards and 37 touchdowns, steadily climbing the all-time list of tight ends.

However, Kittle lacks in one area. Unlike Kelce, the 30-year-old has yet to win a ring. He came close to winning it in 2022, losing to the Chiefs. That gave Kelce his second Super Bowl (his first came in 2019). Vegas will be his third Super Bowl in five years. On the other hand, if the 49ers win, it will be their first since 1994.

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