49ers’ George Kittle outlines proposal to overhaul NFL offseason as league approaches 18-game threshold
On Wednesday, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle appeared on the Rich Eisen Show and proposed how the NFL could make an 18-game season. The NFL has expanded to a 17-team season, and all signs point to it eventually going to 18 games.
Kittle believes that an 18-game season will give all NFL teams two bye weeks, which turns the season into 20 weeks. He suggests adding one extra game to each team's season will get them two more weeks of games. Further, it will help the NFL make more money on TV ratings.
Kittle says if the NFL goes to 18 games and 20 weeks, it should eliminate OTAs in May.
“Then you go to the offseason, if you play through the entire playoffs, you’re playing in mid-February and you’re supposed to show up April 15th for phase one of OTAs, that’s pretty aggressive. That’s not a lot of time for your body to regenerate," Kittle said on The Rich Eisen Show.
“I’m totally okay to get rid of OTAs. Maybe not entirely. Or maybe it’s just the month of May. Or maybe it’s just two weeks of rookie minicamp."
"Of if you’re new to the team, you show up for a period in May. I’m down to start training camp in mid-July.”
Many NFL players would likely agree with Kittle. Having two bye weeks is something other players have also spoken about. And by getting rid of OTAs, they will get more time in the offseason to rehab and recover before the next season commences.
George Kittle is not worried about Brandon Aiyuk's contract situation
George Kittle and the San Francisco 49ers are coming off a Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last season.
Entering the season, star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk still doesn't have a contract. Kittle says he isn't worried about that as he believes the receiver will be back.
"I think, if you look at my career, being a 49er, and the way most of the contracts have gone -- I didn't get signed until the second week of training camp, Deebo (Samuel) was pretty late," Kittle said on The Rich Eisen Show, via NFL.com. "(Nick) Bosa was the first week of the season.
"That's just how business is done out there. I'm not in the meetings. I have no idea. I actually go out of my way to not talk to anybody going through contract negotiations, so when people ask me questions, I'm like: I have absolutely no idea."
Kittle and the 49ers open their season at home on Monday Night Football in Week 1 against the New York Jets.