The San Francisco 49ers have wrapped up their 2025 season and are preparing for 2026 and beyond with free agency and the draft rapidly approaching.
While this may be the time to look forward, it also presents a wonderful opportunity to examine how the team played throughout the last year.
Before we join the 49ers in preparation mode, let’s reflect on the performance from the team’s tight ends in 2025.
George Kittle: B+
Kittle proved to be one of the best tight ends in the league again in 2025, catching 57 passes for 628 yards and seven touchdowns on his way to a seventh Pro Bowl. However, injuries limited him to just 11 games in the regular season, and he suffered a torn Achilles in the wild-card round that kept him out of the loss to the Seahawks and will likely cost him most of 2026.
Luke Farrell: D
Farrell signed a three-year deal with the 49ers last offseason, and he played the second-most snaps of any tight end on the roster (404). However, his impact was mediocre, to put it nicely, as he finished with just 11 receptions for 85 yards and two touchdowns. He also wasn’t the blocker that San Francisco hopped that they were getting.
Jake Tonges: B-
2025 was Tonges’ third season in the NFL, and in the prior two he had yet to record a reception. The former Cal Bear was much better this year, catching 34 passes for 293 yards and five touchdowns. He proved to be a suitable replacement for Kittle when he was hurt. It would’ve been nice to see if Shanahan could use them both together, but he was at least a really good backup.
Brayden Willis: INC
Willis bounced between the 53-man roster and practice squad in 2025, appearing in six games and mainly playing a special teams role. He had six tackles, which is nice, but only playing 13 offensive snaps on the year doesn’t make him much of a factor.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers report card: Superstar, breakout performance buoy TE group
Reporting by Mike Masala, Niners Wire / Niners Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
