George Kittle & 49ers’ offense derives from ‘hunger’ to make another Super Bowl

The San Francisco 49ers have made it to their third NFC Championship game in four seasons.

Last appearing in Super Bowl LIV in 2o20, the Red & Gold have been on the quest for ring No. 6 since the 90s. With a few heartbreaks along the way, this season is the team’s best chance to finally win the illustrious Lombardi Trophy.

Why is it their best chance? Simple, hunger.

The 49ers organization, and fanbase, are as hungry as ever to deliver a world title to the Bay. And that hunger stems from The Faithful to the offensive line and left tackle, Trent Williams.

“This brand of football that you got to play when you get this deep into the playoffs. It has to derive from a place of hunger,” Williams shared Thursday.

Traded from the Washington franchise after the 2019 season, Williams might be the most starved for team success on the 49ers. Now in his 12th NFL season, this could be one of the last chances he has at reaching the pinnacle of football. A chance that, despite the elongated season, is well worth it if the result is victory.

“When you’re at the pinnacle of the game, which is the Super Bowl dangling right in your face, I think yeah, starvation to get there is what’s going to push people through, what’s going to push people to focus a little harder down the stretch,” Williams explained. “I think starvation has a lot to do with that. We all starving to win, everybody wants that ring.”

The same can be said for tight end George Kittle, a veteran of the 49ers in his sixth NFL season.

Kittle has climbed the mountain with the Red & Gold his entire career, experiencing the same heartbreak as The Faithful in February 2020. Now three years removed, the dream and desire to win have only grown with each passing day.

“You dreamt about it since you were a kid, you dream about it when you’re in high school, college. You dream about it when you’re in the NFL,” George Kittle said Thursday. “Whether it’s hunger, starvation or desperation, you do everything you can to make sure at the end of the game that you’re going to win it.”

An easier task said than done, as the 49ers will have to beat the number one-seed Philadelphia Eagles in their stadium Sunday to reach the Super Bowl.

"When you walk into there, they let you know that you're not welcome."

– Trent Williams on playing in Philly pic.twitter.com/XNWXgsEqKg

— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) January 26, 2023

The Eagles have been compared to the 49ers based on scheme, running a lot of zone-reads and wide-receiver concepts similar to the 49ers. Similarities aside, Kittle and the offense feel that if they can get out to a hot start, they can dictate the tough matchup on the road.

“Win the game earlier. That’s part of it. Maybe let’s come out and get off to a hot start and get some points on the board so we’re not playing from behind,” Kittle stated.

Philly also matches up to the Niners physically, playing an aggressive style of football on both sides. Whether they can match up to San Francisco’s violent play style Sunday remains to be seen, but the players expect a hard-nosed contest nonetheless.

“We’ll see on Sunday, won’t we? George Kittle said. “I know we’re going to come out and be violent and physical. I’m excepting them to be the same thing. But, we’ll see.”

49ers Thursday Practice Report

DNP:

QB Jimmy Garoppolo (foot)

RB Christian McCaffrey (calf)

RB Elijah Mitchell (groin)

Limited:

DL Charles Omenihu (oblique)

WR Deebo Samuel (ankle)

CB Ambry Thomas (ankle)

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