The future of star tight end George Kittle has been called into question by one NFL insider, who claims the player is a long way from agreeing on a new deal. The San Francisco 49ers have already lost multiple key pieces this offseason, with the team needing to address the future of quarterback Brock Purdy.
According to Michael Silver, there is no guarantee that the team has lost the last of its stars, with uncertainty surrounding three key pieces.
49ers Facing Multiple Contract Decisions
In just a few days, the next generation of NFL stars will find out which team they’ll be beginning their NFL journey with. But for those already on a team, offseason programs are starting across the league. It’s also the time of year when contract situations can become hostile, as players in search of new deals often sit out team activities, protecting their health until a deal is reached.
The 49ers are potentially facing that very scenario, with three key players looking for new deals. The most obvious of those is Purdy, who has one year remaining on the measly rookie contract that the team has benefited from so much in recent years. Purdy is believed to want a deal worth over $50 million per year, a figure that the team has been far from eager to part with.
While there is a possibility that Purdy initially sits out the team’s offseason program, the 49ers should be able to count on the attendance of Fred Warner. The team lost Warner’s linebacker partner, Dre Greenlaw, to the Denver Broncos in free agency and could ill afford to upset their defensive star. With two years left on his current deal, though, Warner is expected to be in attendance.
However, the 49ers might not be so fortunate regarding their elite tight end George Kittle. Kittle, like Purdy, is entering the final year of his current deal and, at 31, is seeking what could be the last multi-year deal of his career.
NFL Insider Suggests Kittle, 49ers, ‘Far Apart’ in Contract Negotiations
Reporting on the contract situations and the likelihood of the players involved attending the team’s offseason activities, Silver provided mixed news.
After declaring that Purdy’s attendance, or lack thereof, would be an indication as to how his contract negotiations were progressing, Silver suggested that Warner would attend. He then revealed a concerning update on the future of Kittle, stating that the two parties were nowhere close to agreeing a deal.
“Kittle, heading into the final year of a five-year, $75-million deal, is much more of a longshot, as he and the 49ers remain far apart in discussions about a new deal.
3) Warner and the 49ers have yet to have any substantive talks about a possible extension, but the veteran team leader is likely to report. Kittle, heading into the final year of a five-year, $75-million deal, is much more of a longshot, as he and the 49ers remain far apart in…
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) April 21, 2025
With the health of Christian McCaffrey up in the air, and the team having traded away star receiver Deebo Samuel Sr., the news regarding Kittle will not be welcome reading for 49ers fans. Kittle remains one of the league’s most impactful players at his position, and a part of the furniture in San Francisco.
While contract disputes are often drawn-out affairs, after losing several key pieces already this offseason, the team could settle some nerves by getting some deals over the line.