Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
During the 49ers’ bye week in late October, Brock Purdy and George Kittle took a quick trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Though they didn’t plan to train together, both unknowingly packed the same essential item.
“He was like, ‘Hey, I brought a football,’” Purdy recalled. “And I was like, ‘So did I.’ Just in case.”
They never ended up throwing the football on that trip, but their chemistry on the field only grew stronger throughout 2024—something both players hope to continue in 2025 and beyond.
Kittle’s Contract Situation
Much of the 49ers’ offseason attention will focus on Purdy’s contract extension, but Kittle’s deal also demands consideration. The veteran tight end has one year remaining on his current contract, and despite key injuries across the offense in 2024, he reinforced his value to the franchise.
Even after missing two games with hamstring injuries, Kittle delivered one of the best seasons of his career. He finished with 78 receptions, 1,106 yards, and eight touchdowns, averaging 14.2 yards per catch. His performance earned him second-team All-Pro honors, a sixth Pro Bowl selection, and his second Len Eshmont Award, given to the team’s most inspirational and courageous player.
“He’s had a hell of a year,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said. “He’s missed two games, which were obviously tough without him. But I’ve just been proud of how he’s taken care of himself and the way he comes to work every day. I love being around George and having him on our team.”
Despite turning 31 and undergoing offseason shoulder surgery that required him to regain 30 pounds, Kittle’s play hasn’t declined. His teammates have taken notice.
“Better with time,” linebacker Fred Warner said. “Like fine wine.”
The Case for an Extension
The 49ers have several major contract decisions to make, including determining the futures of 23 free agents and potentially trading Deebo Samuel Sr. But Kittle has solidified himself as a long-term priority.
His current five-year, $75 million extension, signed in 2020, has been restructured multiple times for cap relief. He is set to count $22.085 million against the 2025 salary cap, nearly $10 million more than his previous high. The simplest way to reduce that cap hit? Another contract extension.
When Kittle signed his deal, he became the highest-paid tight end in NFL history with a $15 million average annual salary and $40 million in guarantees. Since then, the market has only slightly shifted, with Travis Kelce ($17.125M) and T.J. Hockenson ($16.5M) surpassing him in annual salary, and Hockenson securing more guaranteed money ($42.5M).
Kittle has made it clear that he wants to stay in San Francisco.
“I want to be a Niner for my entire career,” he told ESPN. “Whatever the front office wants to do, I’m all ears.”
During Super Bowl week, he revealed on the “Up and Adams Show” that early extension talks had already begun.
Chasing a Legacy
Kittle isn’t planning to retire anytime soon.
“It’s always been until the wheels fall off,” he said. “Or until my wife tells me to stop playing, which I’ll trust her on that one.”
At this point, neither scenario seems imminent. Kittle has already set the 49ers’ franchise record for receiving yards by a tight end, surpassing 7,380 yards. That total ranks second all-time for a tight end through his first eight seasons, trailing only Kelce. He also became just the fifth tight end in history to record four 1,000-yard receiving seasons, joining Kelce, Rob Gronkowski, Tony Gonzalez, and Jason Witten.
Each season, Kittle sets goals for himself—1,000 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 75 catches. Maintaining that level of production for three more seasons would put him among the top six tight ends in history in each category, further strengthening his Hall of Fame case.
“I’ll look back on that whenever I’m done playing,” Kittle said. “I’m just very excited that I’ve gotten to spend eight years with the San Francisco 49ers. Hopefully, [I’ll] continue to play here because it’s a storied franchise.”
What Comes Next?
While the 49ers have more pressing offseason priorities, locking up Kittle sooner rather than later could provide cap flexibility to improve the roster or retain another key player.
For now, Kittle plans to take some time off before returning to training. Unlike previous years, he doesn’t have any lingering injuries to recover from. With extra time before the next season, he’ll be well-rested.
After the Super Bowl, he expected to start training immediately but admitted he might feel the urge even sooner.
“I might get an ‘itch in my neck’ if I feel like others are outworking me,” Kittle said.
Maybe that means another trip where he and Purdy both bring footballs—just in case.
“George is a future Hall of Famer, man,” Purdy said. “I’m very thankful to be playing with him. I hope I can continue to feed him and continue to grow together.”
Related Content: Brock Purdy’s Contract Extension: When Could It Happen?
This report used information from ESPN.
