That's when interpretations started flying around.
And then there was cornerback Richard Sherman's reaction to the exchange.
Is Kittle trying to court Brown, who isn't exactly on great terms with the Steelers? The 49ers certainly are in need of a true No. 1 wide receiver — a profile which Brown certainly fits.
Even if general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan were onboard with the possibility of adding a player like Brown, the receiver has three years remaining on his contract. The Steelers would have to want to part ways with Brown, and because of the way his contract is structured, Pittsburgh would have to eat $21.12 million if they traded or cut him.
So, there's that roadblock.
Then there is the personality issue, which is already being compared to former 49ers wide receiver Terrell Owens. Would Brown even be a good locker room fit in San Francisco? He did not play in Sunday's finale against the Cincinnati Bengals after an altercation with another player and skipping out on multiple team meetings and practices leading up to the game.
Of course, maybe Kittle was just saying hello.
And maybe Brown was really, really flattered.
The Steelers made Brown a sixth-round draft pick out of Central Michigan in 2010. The nine-year veteran has finished each of his past six seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards and done so in seven of his nine NFL seasons. Brown has 11,207 career receiving yards with 74 touchdowns.
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers Notebook: Reflecting on playing in snowy weather; Kyle Juszczyk laments key fumble; Why didn't George Kittle get more targets vs. Bills?
The weather outside was frightful at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on Sunday night, but the way the San Francisco 49ers played against the Buffalo Bills inside the stadium was even worse. The 49ers gave up 220 yards on the ground, turned the ball over three times,... -
49ers Notebook: George Kittle's sunny optimism; Fred Warner on 'embarrassing' loss; Shanahan explains '12 men' penalties
After their 38-10 loss to the Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay on Sunday, the San Francisco 49ers felt like a team whose season was on the brink. They remained only one game back of the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West standings after the loss, but a... -
George Kittle reveals Kyle Shanahan's message to 49ers after frustrating loss to Packers
San Francisco 49ers players were visibly dejected while speaking to reporters after Sunday's demoralizing 38-10 defeat to the Green Bay Packers. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel declined to talk with the media after a frustrating one-catch performance. "It's probably one of the... -
Brandon Allen gets support from Shanahan, Kittle after first 49ers start
Brandon Allen didn't do enough to be counted among the rare bright spots in the 49ers' dreadful 38-10 road loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, but head coach Kyle Shanahan and tight end George Kittle found enough positives in the veteran quarterback's performance to give...