A Rare Offseason Without Drama in San Francisco
The San Francisco 49ers are finally enjoying a relatively calm offseason. And veteran tight end George Kittle is welcoming the change.
“I’m happy that we don’t have a bunch of guys holding out for contracts,” Kittle told NBC Sports Bay Area’s Jennifer Lee Chan. “I’m glad that we are not having a super drama-filled offseason. I think every year of my career we’ve had a quarterback controversy at some point. And to not have that, it’s going great.”
Stability Brings Energy to the Locker Room
The 49ers underwent significant roster changes this offseason, but the mood in the building has remained positive. With Kittle’s contract settled early and quarterback Brock Purdy reporting for the start of Phase 1 workouts in Santa Clara, the team is enjoying a sense of stability that has often been missing in recent years.
“And just when you have everybody in the building or the majority of the guys in the building, just the energy in the locker room is fantastic, the weight room is awesome, guys are working really hard,”
Kittle added. “We have a lot of new free agents this year, so you want to meet everybody. You want everybody to get to know you before you get into the grind of training camp.”
Purdy’s Presence Sends the Right Message
Purdy, who is expected to receive a new contract, hasn’t let negotiations interfere with preparation. His participation in voluntary workouts has made a strong impression on teammates, including Kittle.
“Brock being here reinforces that because everybody knows who Brock is and he is a very social person in the locker room,” Kittle said. “His being around, getting to meet everybody, is just good for our team chemistry.”
Kittle himself missed the early April sessions but returned shortly after finalizing his new deal.
Passing Along Veteran Advice
Now a seasoned voice in the locker room, Kittle has offered Purdy some perspective on the contract negotiations process. Drawing from his own experiences, and a bit of wisdom passed down by former teammate Richard Sherman, he likened the process to wearing braces. Meaning they’re unpleasant and lengthy, but ultimately lead to a positive result.
“Just trying to help him out as best I can without ever trying to overstep,” Kittle explained. “Because he’s an adult and he knows what he wants to do with his life. But if I can help with a little guidance here and there, I try my best.”
