George Kittle Gets Big-Time Extension with 49ers

For the better part of the last five years, two tight ends have dominated the NFL landscape: Kansas City’s Travis Kelce and San Francisco’s George Kittle. While Kelce has long been lauded for his consistently elite production, Kittle has steadily carved out his own legacy as a dynamic and versatile weapon. This offseason, all eyes were on Kittle as he and the 49ers engaged in ongoing negotiations about his next big payday. Now, those discussions have reached a conclusion, with the 49ers agreeing to a four-year, $76.4 million contract extension that includes $40 million guaranteed.

This $19.1 million-per-year deal not only secures Kittle’s future with the franchise but also catapults him past the Arizona Cardinals' Trey McBride, who was previously the highest-paid tight end at $19 million annually. At 32 years old, Kittle continues to firmly stake his claim as one of the league’s premier tight ends. Over eight NFL seasons, he has earned six Pro Bowl selections and two All-Pro honors, amassing impressive career totals of 7,380 yards and 45 touchdowns on 538 receptions — all as a dedicated Niner.

Kittle’s performance in the 2024 campaign was particularly remarkable. He caught a career-high 83% of his targets, highlighting his reliability and exceptional hands. His 78 receptions marked the most he has had since 2019, while his 1,106 receiving yards were his highest output since the stellar 2018 season. Additionally, he found the end zone eight times, which stands as the second-most touchdown catches of his career. Beyond his receiving prowess, Kittle’s impact extends to his physicality and effectiveness in the run game as a blocker. This dual-threat ability — both as a key offensive target and a formidable blocker — adds tremendous value to his team, making him indispensable on multiple fronts. It’s safe to say he’s worth every dollar for this team, and now, with him locked up, it’s time for Brock Purdy to get his big deal.

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Target Audience/ Goal : 

My target audience for this article are 49ers fans interested in the latest news regarding the team and its players. My goal for this article is to inform a reader of the recent contract extension given to George Kittle.