The San Francisco 49ers kicked off their offseason program without one of their most important leaders on the field: George Kittle. Known for his dominance in both blocking and receiving, Kittle’s absence from Phase 1 of OTAs sparked immediate speculation.
When a veteran of Kittle’s stature skips early offseason activities, it usually signals more than just rest or personal obligations. And in this case, it’s becoming increasingly clear that a contract dispute is at the heart of the matter.
Conflicting Reports Over George Kittle’s Absence
The tension began building after NFL insider Dianna Russini reported on her podcast and on social media that Kittle’s absence was contract related. According to Russini, Kittle wants to become the highest-paid tight end in the NFL—and some teams are already speculating whether a trade could be on the horizon.
“George Kittle wasn’t at the start of the 49ers’ offseason program because of his contract,” Russini said. “I was told he wants to be the highest-paid tight end in the NFL. Some teams are wondering if this goes sideways, would he ask to be traded?”
Kittle quickly pushed back, publicly denying the report and calling the claims inaccurate. Underneath her report, the star tight end wrote: “Your source is incorrect.” Kittle has maintained his absence at 49ers OTAs isn’t related to a contract dispute. Check the receipts: he skipped the team’s voluntary offseason workouts in 2024.
However, Russini stood by her sources and clarified that the dispute may come down to semantics. While San Francisco’s offer reportedly includes more guaranteed money than any other tight end deal, the total value still falls short of Trey McBride’s recent four-year, $76 million contract with Arizona.
This distinction matters. Kittle is reportedly aiming for around $20 million per season which is an ambitious target for a player who will turn 32 this season. The 49ers, meanwhile, are carefully weighing their salary cap priorities as they look to extend other key players and maintain long-term roster flexibility.
49ers Path Forward: Compromise or Trade?
The standoff in San Francisco is a classic case of leverage and negotiation. Kittle’s importance to the franchise is unquestioned. He’s a game-changer on the field and a respected leader off of it. But, the 49ers franchise faces the challenge of valuing Kittle’s present impact while preparing for the future.
Should negotiations fail to progress, the trade whispers may grow louder.
Kittle remains one of the league’s most marketable stars, and his value on the open market would still be considerable. Yet, a more likely outcome is a compromise, perhaps with a deal that falls just shy of McBride’s headline-grabbing numbers but keeps Kittle in Santa Clara, where he’s built his career and legacy.
With training camp looming, the pressure is mounting on both sides. Will the 49ers and Kittle find common ground? Or could this be the beginning of the end for one of the NFL’s most beloved partnerships? For now, the football world is watching.
