49ers surprise with George Kittle extension, and the order may help clear the way for Brock Purdy's big deal
The San Francisco 49ers are expected to extend quarterback Brock Purdy, but he's not the first offensive star to get a new deal with the 49ers this offseason. According to Bussin' With The Boys, tight end George Kittle is getting a massive four-year, $76.4 million with the Niners ($19.1 million on yearly average), surpassing Arizona […]
The San Francisco 49ers are expected to extend quarterback Brock Purdy, but he's not the first offensive star to get a new deal with the 49ers this offseason. According to Bussin' With The Boys, tight end George Kittle is getting a massive four-year, $76.4 million with the Niners ($19.1 million on yearly average), surpassing Arizona Cardinals' Trey McBride to become the highest-paid tight end in NFL history.
The contract has $40 million in guarantees, $35 million at signing and another $5 million that become guaranteed in 2027.
Why it's good
Kittle is one of the most prolific and reliable offensive playmakers on the 49ers roster. Last year, he had 78 catches for 1,106 yards and eight touchdown receptions. He was entering the final year of the extension he signed back in 2020, so the new deal makes the situation more comfortable.
Moreover, it helps the 49ers handle the Brock Purdy contract as well. Kittle was slated to have a $22.026 million cap hit in 2025, and the extension probably lowers his impact on this year's cap, making it more viable to give Purdy his own new contract.
Why it's risky
While George Kittle is still an excellent player, he's also 31 and will be 32 in October. Trey McBride, who had just received his own extension from the Cardinals, is 25. Kittle's new deal goes through 2029, when he will be 36. Sure, there will not be guarantees by that point, but the guarantees essentially go until 2027, when Kittle will be 34. Tight ends may play longer than some other positions and Kittle is still efficient, but there's certainly risk involved in a deal like this.
George Kittle was a fifth-round pick in Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch's first draft class in 2017. He became a big part of the franchise's transformation over the past eight years, being an elite player at his position. Kittle was named to the Pro Bowl six times, made the First-Team All-Pro twice, and the Second-Team All-Pro three times, including last season. Throughout his first eight seasons on the 49ers, he had 538 catches, 7,380 yards, and 45 touchdowns.
