Claire Kittle campaigns for a 100 rating.
George Kittle’s Wife Claire Kittle Disagrees With His Madden Rating originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
San Francisco 49ers star tight end George Kittle is once again at the top of his position, at least according to Madden NFL 26.
The popular football video game has Kittle rated 98 overall, making him the highest-rated tight end in the game ahead of its Aug. 14 release.
At 31 years old, the former Iowa Hawkeye remains one of the NFL’s most dominant playmakers. In 2024, Kittle recorded 78 catches for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns, helping San Francisco reach another deep playoff run.
A six-time Pro Bowler, First-Team All-Pro and two-time Super Bowl participant, Kittle is widely respected for his combination of blocking ability, physical toughness and big-play production.
Kittle’s Madden profile reflects that elite all-around skill set: 98 toughness, 97 awareness, 95 catching and 94 stamina, all among the best in the league. Still, someone close to him believes he deserves a perfect score.
George Kittle’s Wife Weighs In
Claire Kittle, George Kittle’s wife, reposted the ranking on her Instagram Story with a short but telling message: “100 tbh.”
Claire Kittle thinks he deserves 100. pic.twitter.com/tPCW010L9d
— mydzn (@MadelaineDizon) August 5, 2025
The former fitness trainer has been married to George Kittle since 2019. She’s a familiar face among 49ers fans, often attending games and sharing behind-the-scenes moments from the couple’s life.
Recently, Claire Kittle even brought a taste of home to 49ers training camp, sending Iowa sweet corn for the team to enjoy. But when it comes to football, she’s also not shy about sharing her opinion and she’s convinced her husband should have received the top possible rating.
NFL Tight End Ratings
Here’s the full Madden 26’s Top 10 list for tight ends:
- George Kittle – San Francisco 49ers – 98 OVR
- Travis Kelce – Kansas City Chiefs – 93 OVR
- Trey McBride – Arizona Cardinals – 92 OVR
- Mark Andrews – Baltimore Ravens – 91 OVR
- Brock Bowers – Las Vegas Raiders – 90 OVR
- David Njoku – Cleveland Browns – 89 OVR
- T.J. Hockenson – Minnesota Vikings – 88 OVR
- Dallas Goedert – Philadelphia Eagles – 87 OVR
- Sam LaPorta – Detroit Lions – 86 OVR
- Evan Engram – Denver Broncos – 85 OVR
Kittle’s Stats Broken Down
Beyond his overall rating, Kittle’s Madden 26 numbers highlight his rare mix of skills:
- Speed: 87
- Strength: 82
- Agility: 83
- Catch in Traffic: 89
- Injury Rating: 88
These numbers explain why Kittle remains such a difficult matchup for opposing defenses, both in the real NFL and in the virtual world of Madden.
Kittle Projected to Have Another Big Year
Despite being in his early 30s, Kittle is still considered one of the NFL’s most dangerous weapons. Fantasy football analysts have placed him in the Tier 1 tight end group alongside Brock Bowers and Trey McBride, predicting he’ll be a weekly difference-maker in 2025.
One reason for the optimism: quarterback Brock Purdy’s strong connection with Kittle. In training camp, the two have connected on multiple big plays, including red-zone touchdowns and deep seam routes, according to ESPN.
Coach Kyle Shanahan’s offensive system also continues to feature Kittle heavily in play-action, giving him opportunities for explosive gains after the catch.
The 49ers will need that production. With injuries hitting the wide receiver group early in camp, Kittle’s role could expand even more this season. His blocking remains elite, but his value as a pass-catcher is expected to be front and center, especially against a schedule that includes several defenses vulnerable to tight ends.
If George Kittle stays healthy, another 1,000-yard, Pro Bowl-caliber season is well within reach.
Related: Kyle Juszczyk's Wife Grabs Attention in Fun Video with George Kittle and Claire Kittle
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Football
