The San Francisco 49ers have locked in their star tight end for the long haul. George Kittle, 49ers agreed to terms on a 4-year, $76.4M contract extension with $40M guaranteed, making him the NFL’s highest-paid TE. This blockbuster deal cements Kittle’s status as one of the league’s premier players at his position. The extension, reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, ensures Kittle remains the focal point of San Francisco’s offense through the 2028 season, when he’ll be 35 years old.
Kittle, who was entering the final year of his previous contract—a five-year, $75 million deal signed in 2020—now surpasses the annual average value of other top tight ends like Travis Kelce, who earns $17.1 million per year with the Chiefs, and Sam LaPorta, who signed a four-year, $68 million extension with the Lions earlier this offseason. Kittle’s new deal averages $19.1 million annually, with $40 million guaranteed, reflecting his value both as a receiver and a blocker. In 2024, despite battling a hamstring injury that caused him to miss two games, Kittle recorded 72 receptions for 928 yards and 9 touchdowns, earning his fifth Pro Bowl nod and a second-team All-Pro selection. His 9 touchdowns tied for the league lead among tight ends, and his 928 yards ranked second behind Kelce’s 984, per Pro Football Reference.
The 49ers’ decision to extend Kittle comes as no surprise given his impact on their offense, which has ranked in the top 5 in scoring in three of the last four seasons under coach Kyle Shanahan. Kittle, a 2017 fifth-round pick out of Iowa, has been a cornerstone since breaking out in 2018 with 88 catches for 1,377 yards—a single-season record for a tight end at the time. His versatility as a blocker sets him apart; he graded out as the NFL’s top run-blocking tight end in 2024 with an 82.3 grade from Pro Football Focus, helping pave the way for Christian McCaffrey’s 1,459 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. Kittle’s chemistry with quarterback Brock Purdy, who threw for 4,280 yards in 2024, is undeniable—Purdy’s passer rating when targeting Kittle was 112.3, the highest among 49ers pass-catchers.
Some, however, questioned the deal’s long-term value given Kittle’s age and injury history. Kittle has missed 11 games over the past four seasons due to various injuries, including a calf strain in 2021 and a core muscle surgery in the 2024 offseason, but his production when healthy remains elite.
The extension also signals the 49ers’ commitment to contending for a Super Bowl after falling short in 2024, losing to the Chiefs in the NFC Championship Game, 31-20. With Purdy entering the final year of his rookie deal in 2025—he’s expected to command a massive extension of his own next offseason—and McCaffrey under contract through 2027, San Francisco is keeping its offensive core intact. The 49ers, who finished 11-6 in 2024 and are off to a 3-1 start in 2025 after a 27-20 win over the Cardinals on April 27, are among the NFC’s elite, and Kittle’s presence ensures their offense remains a matchup nightmare. As
@SFBayAreaSports noted on X, “Kittle extension means the 49ers’ Super Bowl window stays wide open. He’s the glue of this offense.”
For Kittle, who’s long been a fan favorite for his gritty play and infectious personality—his “National Tight End Day” celebrations have become an annual tradition—the deal is a well-deserved reward. He told reporters after the Cardinals game, “I love this team, this city, these fans. I’m a Niner for life.” With $40 million guaranteed and a new benchmark for tight ends, Kittle’s legacy in San Francisco is secure—and he’s got four more years to chase that elusive Super Bowl ring.
