49ers Rejected Trade Offer For George Kittle Prior To Extension Agreement

Over a brief period of time, George Kittle and the 49ers went from being far apart on contract terms to reaching agreement on a long-term extension. Prior to the team’s latest investment in the All-Pro tight end, though, at least one trade conversation took place.

Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports San Francisco spoke with an interested team the night before the draft began about a Kittle trade. She adds that suitor was willing to give up a second-round pick in return for the 31-year-old. That offer was obviously rejected, and less than one week later a four-year, $76.4MM deal was in place. The 49ers wound up making 11 selections during the draft, tied for the most in the NFL.

Kittle remains on track to finish his career in San Francisco. The six-time Pro Bowler sits atop the tight end market in terms of AAV, with his $19.1MM mark surpassing Trey McBride‘s recent Cardinals extension (although it was reported not long after the Kittle deal was announced it contains a final year which notably inflates the overall average). Needless to say, the 49ers will be counting on him to remain a core contributor in the pass and run games for years to come.

San Francisco’s offensive nucleus has included big-ticket deals for the likes of Kittle, left tackle Trent Williams, running back Christian McCaffrey and wideouts Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel in recent years. All but the latter member of that group is still in place ahead of the 2025 campaign, one in which the 49ers will aim to bounce back from an underwhelming, injury-riddled season. The team’s financial planning needs to take into account a lucrative long-term pact for quarterback Brock Purdy; that could be in place in the near future.

While a Purdy deal near the top of the QB market will alter the team’s cap outlook for years to come, the 49ers will remain heavily invested in Kittle for at least much of that span. The former fifth-rounder topped 1,000 yards for the second straight season (and fourth overall) in 2024, and if he can remain healthy and continue to produce at that level moving forward, the decision to retain him will prove to be a beneficial one.

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