49ers’ George Kittle Wants to Play ‘Until I Don’t Have Fun Anymore’

The tight end, 31, tells podcasters that his post-football plans could include professional wrestling or acting.

George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball against the Detroit Lions at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Dec. 30, 2024. Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle says he’s going to keep playing until the wheels fall off.

The 31-year-old signed a four-year, $76 million extension with the team in April. In an interview with former NFL players Taylor Lewan and Will Compton on the Bussin' with the Boys podcast, Kittle discussed his offseason routine and how he stays in shape. He also discussed his plans for life after football.

“How long are you wanting to play?” Compton asked Kittle.

“Literally until I don’t have fun anymore,” Kittle replied. “Or if [my wife] looks at me and goes, ‘You kind of look like [expletive] out there. You should retire.’ And I‘ll be like ’All right.‘ That’s probably how it’ll happen. That or ... I’m 35 and it hurts just to put pants on in the morning, I think I‘ll be like ’Ahh, this isn’t that much fun anymore.‘ And then I’ll have a conversation with myself. But no, I’m feeling great right now.”

Earlier in the interview, Kittle discussed how the 49ers’ missing the playoffs was a blessing in disguise.

“The one benefit of not making the playoffs is you get an entire month off. Like, I haven’t had January off since 2020. ... You get that extra month to recover, take a step back, you can kind of work a little bit easier into your training when you come back. You have time, especially if you handle it the right way. So like mentally and physically, I mean, I’m light years ahead of where I was last two years, which is pretty fun.”

Kittle recounted how he dealt with a shoulder injury in the 2024 offseason and multiple injuries in 2023. Lewan joked that during his last appearance on the podcast, he made “dad noises” due to groin, rib, and shoulder injuries. But this time, he jumped out of his truck and gave everybody on the show big hugs.

Kittle told the two NFL vets that he had a wake-up call about his body after the 2020 season when he dealt with a broken foot and other injuries. After that, he leaned into stem cell therapies and started receiving an annual brain scan. He also started doing Vasper workouts, red light therapy, and IV treatments to keep his body in top form for as long as possible. Kittle estimated he purchased roughly $200,000 worth of equipment, and spends anywhere from $150,000-$250,000 per season, adding that he has several marketing deals with brands that he works with to save money, including the Stem Cell Institute in Panama.

The three also discussed Kittle’s career prospects after he hangs up his cleats. One possibility Compton floated was professional wrestling, which Kittle is a fan of. Kittle said he would love to join the WWE, but because he is such a fan, he would want to do it only if he trained for it.

The trio also brought up acting. The hosts and their producer floated the possibility of playing roles in a series based on the Mad Max series or the Viking era.

Kittle then brought up the possibility of acting in a Warhammer 40,000 series. Actor Henry Cavill recently struck a deal with Amazon to develop a cinematic universe based on the popular tabletop role-playing game. Kittle said he fell in love with the universe while playing the video game Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 with teammate Eric Saubert, and is now trying to get a role as an extra in a future television series.

“I could be an extra on the side, getting eaten by an alien for all I care,” he said. “I just want to be a part of it.”

Kittle also mentioned the possibility of becoming a commentator. Compton floated the idea of Kittle joining the podcast, noting that there would be a bidding war for his services between them, ESPN, and others.

Kittle also talked about his offseason routine. At least three times a week, he lifts in the morning with some local athletes in Tennessee—including some Titans players—and occasionally throws with C.J. Beathard, a Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback and Kittle’s college teammate. He then works on speed and agility, and passing releases with his personal coach, then runs 30 to 45 routes.

During the season, Kittle said he and linebacker Fred Warner front squat 315 pounds for three reps every Monday, unless he is injured; he also said last season he was doing dumbbell bench press with 145-pound dumbbells for three reps. Kittle said he tries to keep his strength up and weigh over 240 pounds in order to play his position well.

“Anytime you get underneath that, it’s very difficult, because I’ve got to block guys like Nick Bosa [in practice] and they just can pick me up and move me sometimes,” he said.