George Kittle isn’t going anywhere, and he’s now the NFL’s highest-paid tight end.
The San Francisco 49ers have signed Kittle to a four-year, $76.4 million contract extension, including $40 million guaranteed. The team has confirmed the agreement.
Kittle’s new $19.1 million-per-year salary just edges out Arizona’s Trey McBride $19 million annually, putting Kittle at the top of the tight end market once again.
Even at 32 years old, Kittle remains one of the NFL’s elite at his position. Over his eight-year career, he’s racked up 538 receptions for 7,380 yards and 45 touchdowns. Earning six Pro Bowl selections and two All-Pro nods.
Kittle was outstanding in the 2024 season, catching a career-best 83% of his targets. His 78 receptions were his most since 2019 and his 1,106 receiving yards ranked second-highest in his career. Along with eight touchdowns, his second-best scoring output.
Beyond the stats, Kittle was rated the top tight end in the NFL by Pro Football Focus. Earning an overall grade of 92.1, well ahead of McBride’s 86.8.
PFF also ranked him as the best receiving tight end (92.4 grade) and the second-best run blocker (70.8), reinforcing just how critical he is to head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offensive system. In many ways, Kittle’s versatility is just as important to San Francisco’s success as the play of quarterback Brock Purdy or running back Christian McCaffrey.
Securing Kittle offers some stability after a tumultuous offseason for the 49ers. San Francisco traded wide receiver Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders and running back Jordan Mason to the Minnesota Vikings, while also losing key defenders like Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga to free agency.
Veterans such as Javon Hargrave, Maliek Collins, and Leonard Floyd were also cut as part of a broader roster recalibration.
Part of the motivation for creating cap space is preparing for a massive future payday for Purdy, whose rookie contract is nearing its end. Extending Kittle now could help ease future salary cap pressure, as it lowers his $22 million cap hit for 2025. Critical flexibility for a team planning to keep its young quarterback in place for years to come.
Now signed through 2029, Kittle is set to spend the rest of his prime in San Francisco, providing both leadership and elite play as the 49ers aim to stay among the NFL’s best.
