George Kittle Contract Extension

We finally have a George Kittle contract extension! The San Francisco 49ers have locked All-Pro tight end George Kittle to a long-term extension, making him the highest paid tight end in NFL history.

The 49ers and Kittle agreed to a five-year, $75 million contract on Thursday. This is with $40 million guaranteed for injury. Also, $30 million guaranteed at signing. Pretty guaranteed.

Kittle’s deal easily surpasses the four-year, $42 million contract Austin Hooper signed with the Cleveland Browns in March. Also, the average annual value is slightly more than the four-year, $57.25 million extension given to Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce later Thursday afternoon.

49ers Give George Kittle Contract Extension

“It is a cool thing when you’re talking about a big deal for somebody. Especially in the uncertain times that it is now with the salary cap changing and whatever the revenue differences are going to be this year,” coach Kyle Shanahan said on Thursday. “… It’s not about just being the best tight end in the NFL, it’s who he is after that. That to me makes me want to get this stuff done when you might not actually have to right now. And especially for a guy like that.

“He’s earned it. He does everything the right way. It starts with how talented and good you play on Sunday. As I just said, he does that to me better than any tight end in the league. But then after that, the way the guy takes care of himself, the way he works year round to put his body in a position to stay healthy with the way he plays, it makes you believe in the guy. It makes you believe in not only what he has done but what he’s going to do. When you have a guy like that, I think it makes it a lot easier for the owner to commit to him like that.”