The San Francisco 49ers aren’t just aiming for another playoff run — they’re coming for blood. And if George Kittle’s latest comments are any indication, the rest of the NFL should start bracing themselves.
In a fiery interview on The Rich Eisen Show, the 49ers’ All-Pro tight end didn’t mince words when asked about the team’s biggest offseason move — the return of Robert Saleh as defensive coordinator. Kittle’s response? “Violence is coming.”
Yes, you read that right. The 49ers are embracing controlled chaos in 2025 — and they’re ready to remind the league just how terrifying their defense can be.
A Familiar Face Returns to Spark Fear
Robert Saleh isn’t new to this. He helped build the 49ers’ defensive identity from 2017 to 2020, turning a mediocre unit into a full-blown nightmare for opposing quarterbacks.
By 2019, his defense was ranked second in total yards allowed — a major reason the Niners steamrolled their way to Super Bowl LIV. Even in 2020, amid injuries, Saleh’s unit still finished top-five in the league.
Saleh left for the New York Jets, where he may not have found postseason success, but his defensive credibility only grew. The Jets went from having the worst defense in 2021 to the fourth-best in 2022, and then climbed to third-best in 2023. Say what you will about his head coaching record — the man knows how to build a defense.
Now he’s back. And he’s pissed.
George Kittle: Locker Room Leader, Hype Man, Enforcer
Kittle has always been the emotional spark plug of the 49ers. He plays like every snap might be his last and celebrates pancakes like touchdowns. So when he tells the league that “violence is coming”, it’s not just bluster — it’s a battle cry.
With a fully healthy defense, a reloaded offense, and one of the most creative coaching duos in football (Saleh on defense, Shanahan on offense), the Niners don’t just look like contenders — they look inevitable.
And Kittle knows it.
The Stakes: Is This Finally the Year?
San Francisco has been to three NFC Championship games and two Super Bowls in the last five years. Yet each run ended in heartbreak — injuries, tough matchups, or flat-out bad luck derailed their title hopes.
But now, the stars might finally be aligning.
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Brock Purdy has proven he’s more than “Mr. Irrelevant.”
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Christian McCaffrey is still an elite dual-threat weapon.
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Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, and George Kittle remain one of the most dangerous pass-catching trios in the league.
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And now, Robert Saleh is back to bring hell to the trenches.
This team isn’t just built to win — they’re built to destroy.
Final Word: Believe the Hype? Or Beware the Hype?
NFL fans and analysts alike have learned one thing over the years: never underestimate a pissed-off 49ers team. And when George Kittle is declaring open warfare in June, you better believe the locker room is buying in.
The 49ers are no longer just chasing a Super Bowl — they’re out to punish anyone who stands in their way.
So heed Kittle’s warning.
Violence is coming.
