Cole Kmet vs George Kittle: Who Should You Start?
The numbers tell a clear story here. George Kittle put up 12.1 fantasy points per game for the San Francisco 49ers in 2025, while Cole Kmet managed 4.0 across 16 games with the Chicago Bears. A 8.1-point weekly edge is substantial at the tight end position.
A 8.1-PPG gap gives George Kittle the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.
George Kittle is the volume tight end in this matchup with 57 receptions for 628 yards, while Cole Kmet profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (2 scores on 30 catches). In weeks where Cole Kmet finds the end zone he out-scores George Kittle, but the floor gap is real.
Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Cole Kmet sits Week 7 while George Kittle is off Week 9. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.
