After some initial concern, the 49ers have avoided any potential contract issues with superstar tight end George Kittle.
Amid contract negotiations, the five-time All-Pro TE was noticeably absent from San Francisco's first sessions of voluntary OTAs. Tuesday morning, however, both sides struck a deal commensurate with Kittle's standing as one of the league's best at his position.
Here is everything to know about the contract extension that will keep Kittle happy and in the Bay Area in the long term.
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George Kittle contract details
- Years: 4
- Value: $76.4 million
Kittle's contract extension is worth $76.4 million over four years, the star TE told Bussin' With The Boys.
Per the terms of the extension, Kittle will receive a total of $40 million guaranteed, with $35 million coming at signing and an additional $5 million coming in 2027. The average annual value of Kittle's deal is $19.1 million and he is under contract in the Bay through at least 2029.
The deal makes Kittle the highest average-paid TE in history, according to Spotrac.
Though last year was a down one for the 6-11 Niners, Kittle caught 78 passes for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns. It was his second consecutive season with 1,000-plus receiving yards and the fourth such season of his eight-year career.
In 2024, he needed just 15 games to reach the plateau.
Health will be paramount, but with Kittle likely in great spirits, San Francisco will look to return to prominence in the NFC West in 2025.
Highest-paid tight ends for 2025
With his new deal, Kittle soars to the top of the list of highest-paid TEs in the NFL in 2025.
The average annual value (AAV) of Kittle's contract is notably $100,000 greater than that of Cardinals TE Trey McBride, whose contract has an AAV of $19.0 million. Rounding out the top five are Travis Kelce, T.J. Hockenson and Dallas Goedert.
| Rank | Player | Contract | AAV |
| 1. | George Kittle, 49ers | 4 years, $76.4 million | $19.1 million |
| 2. | Trey McBride, Cardinals | 4 years, $76.0 million | $19.0 million |
| 3. | Travis Kelce, Chiefs | 2 years, $34.3 million | $17.1 million |
| 4. | T.J. Hockenson, Vikings | 4 years, $66.0 million | $16.5 million |
| 5. | Dallas Goedert, Eagles | 4 years, $57.0 million | $14.3 million |
| 6. | Mark Andrews, Ravens | 4 years, $56.0 million | $14.0 million |
| 7. | David Njoku, Browns | 4 years, $54.8 million | $13.7 million |
| 8. | Cole Kmet, Bears | 4 years, $50.0 million | $12.5 million |
| 9. | Pat Freiermuth, Steelers | 4 years, $48.4 million | $12.1 million |
| 10. | Dalton Schultz, Texans | 3 years, $36.0 million | $12.0 million |