The biggest San Francisco 49ers news of the offseason broke today when the team agreed to terms on a five-year, $75 million contract extension with tight end George Kittle. The deal makes the All-Pro the highest-paid tight end in football history.
Pass rusher Dee Ford spoke with reporters on Thursday via a video conference call. He was asked what it is like facing Kittle in practice and if he remembers going against the tight end during the Kansas City Chiefs' 2018 matchup against the 49ers at Arrowhead Stadium.
"I do remember that game," Ford responded. "Me, him, and Joe (Staley) talked a lot, my last year in Kansas City, in between the plays. It was a very fun game.
"Kittle is Kittle, man. He's a beast. Of course we planned for him, and he still worked us. It was fun, great competition.
"As far as practice, Kittle is Kittle. He's going to make plays. He's going to block. He's the best blocking tight end, best catching tight end, best tight end in the league. So, it's always good competition going against him, and I'm proud of him. He really deserves every penny."
Another defender, cornerback K'Waun Williams, also spoke with reporters, and was asked about the challenges of going against Kittle in practices.
"You've just got to be disciplined from the start of it down to the end because he's just real crafty, he's strong, and he's just relentless in everything he does," Williams said. "He's willing to block in the run game. So you've just got to be on your A-game going against a guy like that."
