George Kittle, 49ers Reportedly Progressing in Contract Talks After Trade Inquiries

The San Francisco 49ers and superstar tight end George Kittle are reportedly making progress in negotiations regarding a new contract.

According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, Kittle arrived at the Niners' voluntary organized team activities amid the two sides moving in a positive direction.

Russini added that while some teams inquired about trading for Kittle, the 49ers are not expected to move him.

Kittle, 31, last signed an extension with the Niners in 2020 when he inked a five-year, $75 million deal.

He is set to enter the final year of his contract in 2025 at a salary of $14.4 million and a salary cap hit of just over $22 million, per Spotrac.

Ever since his second NFL season in 2018 when he set career highs with 88 receptions for 1,377 yards, Kittle has been one of the best and most complete tight ends in the NFL, and that has continued to be the case even after reaching the age of 30.

After failing to reach the 1,000-yard receiving mark in three consecutive seasons, Kittle got back to that level in 2023, finishing with 65 catches for 1,020 yards and six touchdowns for a Niners team that reached the Super Bowl.

San Francisco took a big step backward last season as a team, finishing 6-11 and missing the playoffs, but Kittle was among the lone bright spots, racking up 78 grabs for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns.

Kittle was named a Pro Bowler for the fourth consecutive year and sixth time overall, plus he earned his third career Second Team All-Pro selection to go along with two First Team All-Pro nods.

Playing for one of the most storied franchises in NFL history, Kittle ranks third in 49ers history in both receptions (538) and receiving yards (7,380) behind only Hall of Fame wide receivers Jerry Rice and Terrell Owens.

He is also eighth in franchise history with 45 touchdown catches and needs just four in 2025 to move into the top five.

Despite the disappointment of last season, the 49ers are expected to potentially return to Super Bowl contention in 2025 provided their key players can remain healthy.

Kittle also figures to be an even more significant part of the passing offense after the Niners traded wide receiver Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders this offseason.

With wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk coming off a torn ACL, Kittle may very well be quarterback Brock Purdy's No. 1 option, perhaps making re-signing him an even higher priority for the 49ers.