George Kittle was frustrated by the 2021 Pro Bowl announcements on Monday, but not because he wasn't one of the two tight ends chosen to the NFC roster.
Green Bay Packers tight end Robert Tonyan is tied for the most touchdowns at the position this season, but wasn't chosen to the NFC team, with T.J. Hockenson of the Detroit Lions and Evan Engram of the New York Giants being the two representatives. Kittle took to social media to express his dismay.
Tonyan has been a touchdown machine in 2020 with Aaron Rodgers as his quarterback, catching 49 passes for 451 yards to go along with those 10 scores for Green Bay. Hockenson has 60 catches for 675 yards and six touchdowns. Engram has 54 catches for 572 yards, but has found the end zone just once this season.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Kittle and Tonyan have remained close since being paired up for pre-draft workouts back in 2017, working with the same agent. The two even lived together in Nashville the summer before the 2019 season.
RELATED: 49ers snap count: Examining future of running back position
Tonyan won't be missing out on an opportunity to play in the Pro Bowl physically, as the event was canceled this season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The NFL instead will conduct a virtual event in partnership with EA Sports.
Kittle has only managed to get into six games this season due to nagging injuries, and wasn't able to earn his third trip to the Pro Bowl this season.
San Francisco 49ers
Find the latest San Francisco 49ers news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Bay Area and California.
After Tonyan's breakout season, perhaps we'll see both he and Kittle donning the NFC uniform at the 2022 Pro Bowl.