There was understandable dread a year ago in Week 1 when San Francisco 49ers fans watched All-Pro tight end George Kittle hobble off the field in-game against the Seattle Seahawks, an injury that turned out to be a serious hamstring issue.
Thankfully, a relatively unheard-of tight end, Jake Tonges, bridged the gap and then some.
Following a breakout-sort of 2025 campaign in which he logged 34 catches for 293 yards and five touchdowns, largely in relief of Kittle, Tonges shone in ways that weren't expected at all. And his ascent alleviated pressure on the Niners front office to go out and seek an established fill-in while Kittle was absent.
San Francisco quietly rewarded Tonges during the offseason, not only by giving him a two-year extension worth up to $8 million, but by also not putting a major priority on finding Kittle's eventual long-term successor.
With Kittle undergoing yet another injury recovery, plus him being on the wrong side of 30 years old, Tonges could be facing a true turning point in what was otherwise an obscure career prior to last season.
George Kittle uncertainty opens door for Jake Tonges' career breakout
Fans were certainly pleased with how Tonges emerged early last season, although there's no questioning how Kittle is vastly superior in all facets of the game.
However, Kittle's status for Week 1 remains in doubt after suffering a torn Achilles in the playoffs last January, and there's a modest chance he starts the year on an injury list, eliminating him from the first four weeks of the season.
Plus, with Kittle's notable injury history, it's nearly a guarantee Tonges will at least see a handful of starts.
Even if Kittle stays healthy, though, Tonges gives head coach Kyle Shanahan a unique tool long sought: a secondary receiving threat at the position, allowing more 12 personnel formations with two potential mismatches.
Tonges is the only viable option to fill this role, and his target share could easily increase if opposing defenses are focused on Kittle and/or the latter misses significant time with injury.
Should that happen, it wouldn't be a shock to see Tonges enjoy a career-best year, potentially putting himself in the conversation of a long-term Kittle replacement, whenever the future Hall of Famer decides to call it a career.
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