While Ja’Marr Chase widened the gap between the wide receiver and tight end markets last month, the latter group has inched closer to the $20MM-per-year barrier via Trey McBride‘s $19MM-AAV Cardinals extension. A more accomplished player is likely targeting that deal.
George Kittle has moved past his early-career health issues, placing himself on the Hall of Fame radar by becoming an integral part of the 49ers’ offense — both as a pass catcher and blocker. Kittle is now a six-time Pro Bowler who has snared five All-Pro honors. The eight-year veteran’s resume is probably already Canton-worthy, and this year may serve as his last chance to capitalize on his top form.
The 49ers and Kittle are believed to be far apart on a third contract, and The Athletic’s Dianna Russini indicated Wednesday his recent absence from San Francisco’s offseason program relates to his desire to become the NFL’s highest-paid tight end. Kittle then countered by replying to a Russini tweet, saying this was not the case. Kittle said previously (via NBC Sports’ Matt Maiocco) he usually does not show for voluntary workouts until on-field work begins. OTAs do not begin until May.
Russini, however, confirmed after more conversations with league figures (video link) Kittle’s early absence from team work is a contract-related situation. Kittle, 31, would not need to report until 49ers minicamp to avoid being fined. He did not hold out in 2020, and the 49ers hammered out a then-record five-year, $75MM extension during training camp. The former fifth-round pick has the chance to top that deal soon, considering where the cap now resides, and the 49ers likely have received an ask from the standout to eclipse McBride’s numbers.
The 49ers are believed to have made Kittle an offer that brought better guarantees, per Russini, compared to McBride’s extension. It is not known if that means total guarantees or fully guaranteed money. McBride secured $43MM in total and $32.5MM in signing. McBride has the age advantage on Kittle here, going into his age-26 season, but the ninth-year 49ers vet can certainly counter that he remains in peak form and has stayed healthy. An All-Pro in each of the past three seasons, Kittle added a fourth 1,000-yard year in 2024 and missed only two games. He has not missed more than three in a season since 2020.
San Francisco does not appear to have matched McBride’s $19MM-per-year number yet, and it will be interesting to see how far Kittle is willing to go to become the NFL’s first $20MM-per-year tight end. It can be argued tight ends are underpaid relative to their value, as team-friendly deals for Travis Kelce and Rob Gronkowski helped suppress the market over the past 13 years. Kittle can strike a blow for the position, but his extension talks come during the same offseason in which Brock Purdy joins him in a contract year. Purdy showed up for the start of 49ers workouts, and the sides are believed to be progressing on an extension.
After the 49ers traded Deebo Samuel, they are not expected to have Brandon Aiyuk to start the season. That situation could give Kittle leverage, should the decorated performer use it, as his contract year nears. Teams are monitoring this situation, per Russini, though no trade request — which helped shape the Samuel and Aiyuk negotiations — has come out.
SF missed their window. Good teams that just couldn’t win the Lombardi.
If they were smart, they’d cut bait with all their aging players and retool with the draft compensation.
Just pay the man! I’m so tired of the 49ers having long, disruptive negotiations all offseason.
Maybe the 49’ers are looking at his age and the length and #$$ dollars its going to take to sign him with respect to selling high and maybe giving the next guy an opportunity to play TE for them….after all, you’re not writing the check are you….and its pretty sure that as he ages, the injuries will keep him out longer and have more to do with how effective he can be……and with him being such an integral part of the team, it hasn’t vaulted them into the category of SB champ…..and yes I know that it takes a team effort to win the SB but still…they don’t have a ring with Kittle playing for them….
hes a bear
The author makes a case for pretty obvious HOF because of how “important” he is to the teams success….and obviously, he’s one of the top TE’s in the NFL……so when you look at modern day HOF TE’s, Gronk and Kelsi both were integral to their teams success but they also were part of SB winning teams…..Kittle doesn’t have the honor as yet…and comparatively, when you look at all time greats like Ditka, Newsome, Mackey, Sharpe, Jackie Smith, Dave Casper….even Whitten…..Does he belong in that group…..and do we give All Pro/HOF accolades out a bit too soon….if you judged him on the first couple of seasons in the league you wouldn’t include him…..just saying…..
Good observation. Personally I don’t think he should ever be mentioned alongside TEs like Gronk and Kelsi. Those guys showed up when it was crunch time. Kittle has been a ghost in the playoffs scoring just 2 TDs in 12 appearances. If he’s on your HOF radar the circuitry is probably defective.