49ers reportedly make decision on George Kittle contract

The San Francisco 49ers have been in contract negotiations to retain multiple star players, and seem to be at an impasse with one of them. 

The 49ers do not have much cap space, with a little over $16.5 million, according to Spotrac. Money has been a contributing factor to many of the moves San Francisco has made this offseason. Contract talks with Brock Purdy and George Kittle have been one of the team's top priorities, but talks are reportedly not going well with Kittle. 

The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported on her podcast Wednesday that the 49ers aren't willing to make Kittle the highest-paid tight end in the league, like he wants to be.

"George Kittle and the San Francisco 49ers are in the middle of this negotiation," Russini said. "We know that Kittle wasn't there for OTAs and from what I was told it has to do with his contract. He wants to be the highest-paid tight end in the NFL I was told. In fact, many around the league know about this. He wants to make about $20 million a year. So I reported that."

"When you take a look at the Trey McBride deal, it's four years, $76 million. Just a few months ago Arizona did that deal making him the highest-paid tight end. The 49ers made an offer to Kittle that in guaranteed money essentially made him the highest-paid tight end but it still was less than the Trey McBride contract. It's more about are they going to be able to come to an agreement? Because right now, there's no deal. This isn't done at this point. The truth of the matter is he wants to be paid. And I think he knows perhaps the San Francisco 49ers aren't willing to go that high."

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Kittle is a six-time Pro Bowler and two-time First Team All-Pro and ranks second in receiving yards among all tight ends since entering the league. The 31-year-old is still producing at a high level, recording eight touchdowns and 1,106 receiving yards on 78 receptions in 2024, but his future with the 49ers remains unclear if the two sides can't agree on a contract.

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