Extension talks with George Kittle have produced an agreement. The All-Pro tight end announced during an appearance on the Bussin’ With the Boys podcast that he has signed a new deal. 
This will be a four-year pact, per Kittle. The deal is worth $76.4MM in total and includes $40MM in guarantees. The latter figure consists of $35MM locked in at signing along with $5MM in guarantees covering the 2027 campaign. 2025 had represented the final year of Kittle’s contract, but he is now on the books through 2029; his scheduled cap charge for the coming year ($22.03MM) will no doubt be lowered as a result of the agreement.
This deal carries an annual average value of $19.1MM, surpassing the AAV of Trey McBride‘s recent Cardinals extension. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk cautions, though, that the final year of the contract contains an inflated figure to push that mark from $18MM to its record-breaking point. Kittle had been attached to a $15MM-per-year pact, but his future has now been secured by means of another lucrative 49ers commitment on the offensive side of the ball.
Kittle surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for the fourth time in his career in 2024, and his eight touchdowns marked the second-highest total in a single season for him to date. That production helped his leverage in contract talks, and prior to the draft it was reported team and player were far apart on terms. Originally, the 31-year-old was absent from the start of voluntary offseason workouts. Kittle did attend on Friday, though, and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport notes negotiations gained steam from that point on.
A report stating the former fifth-rounder was aiming to become the league’s highest-paid tight end – with that being the reason for his early absence – drew a public rebuttal from the six-time Pro Bowler himself. Nonetheless, Kittle is now atop the position’s financial pecking order as he looks to remain a mainstay in the pass and run games for San Francisco. The team’s list of remaining extensions now includes quarterback Brock Purdy and linebacker Fred Warner, both of whom are in attendance for the start of offseason work.
The 49ers made 11 selections in this year’s draft, tied for the most in the NFL. None of those picks were used on a tight end, an indication the team would continue relying on Kittle (along with free agent addition Luke Farrell) for 2025 and beyond. San Francisco’s season did not go according to plan last year as the team dealt with a slew of injuries at key positions. Kittle continued a run of making at least 14 appearances which dates back to 2021, though, and the 49ers will be counting on that stretch of availability extending deep into his career.
As San Francisco prepares for a period with Purdy attached to one of the league’s most lucrative deals, the team also has big-ticket commitments in place with Kittle, wideout Brandon Aiyuk and running back Christian McCaffrey. If that nucleus is to guide the 49ers to a Super Bowl, Kittle will no doubt continue operating as a central figure in the team’s success.
Overrated and overpaid.
He blocks … Kelce cant
Not just blocking but thoroughly enjoying knocking dude’s on their backs.
Blocks extremely well and receives 1k yards in almost every year…. yea. That’s top 5 every year besides 2020. Top 3 including 2 league leading seasons of those. 5 All Pro teams. So very over rated.
Yep
He’s probably the best all around tight end in football right now and he’s getting less money than more than 20 receivers. He’s getting much less per year and in guarantees than guys like Calvin Ridley. He’s on the wrong side of 30, but elite tight ends are a bargain compared to some other positions.
This might be the worst TE take in a long time.
The best TE and I’m a Seahawks fan. Kelce overrated!
Agreed. Kittle is an amazing athlete and at 31 he is just at his peek. Age is so overrated until not…
Well deserved. I thought Niners would let him go eventually I was wrong
I think he was def being considered (it was going to be between him and Deebo) and I think last year made it easier for the FO to choose between the two.
Agreed. He put up some crazy stats especially after CMac went down. I could see Niners moving off CMac in 2026. They got Isaac and drafted James the runningback from Oregon. Kittle locked in and maybe Aiyuk gets shipped off mid 2025-offseason 2026 and Pearsall if he continues to rise and improve becomes new cheaper WR1
George Kittle FOREVER a 49ER !!!
Just don’t expect this guy to have any impact in the playoffs.
Signing an extension with the 49ers means in 2 years they won’t want him and are looking to trade him?