Show me the money: San Francisco TE George Kittle cashes in and becomes the highest paid tight end in the NFL

George Kittle, the San Francisco 49ers player, has signed a four-year contract extension that makes him the highest-paid tight end in NFL history.

The contract extensions is worth $76.4 million, with $35 million guaranteed and runs through the 2029 season.

Kittle’s deal works out at $19.1 million per year.

This means all attention turns to the 49ers’ decision on how much to offer quarterback Brock Purdy, with expectations he will be offered some $50 million a year.

Kittle’s story with the 49ers

George Kittle (Madison, Wisconsin), now 31 years old, was picked by the 49ers in the fifth round of the 2017 draft, coming from Iowa. He made his debut in the 49ers’ season opener against the Carolina Panthers, catching five passes for 27 yards in a 23-3 defeat. He finished his rookie season with 43 receptions for 515 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games.

Since then his status at the 49ers has grown, making him one of the main figures in the locker room.

He was part of the 2023 team that made the Super Bowl, where they were beaten by the Kansas City Chiefs. Kittle only caught two passes for four yards and ended up suffering a shoulder injury in overtime and going off for the remainder of the game.

49ers delighted with contract extension

“In 2017, our first year with the 49ers, we selected a skinny tight end from Iowa whom we were really excited about. We had high hopes, but no one knew that he would become the player that he is today,” 49ers general manager John Lynch said in a statement.

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