George Kittle Signs Massive Contract Extension to Stay with 49ers Through 2029

George Kittle has always been more than just a football player for the 49ers.

He’s the loudest guy in the locker room, the biggest personality on the field, and one of the few NFL stars who can pancake a linebacker and then run a go route like a wideout. Now, the fan-favorite tight end is making it official—he’s staying in San Francisco for the long haul.

On Tuesday, the 49ers announced that Kittle signed a four-year contract extension that keeps him with the team through the 2029 season. The deal is worth a massive $76.4 million, with $40 million guaranteed. It’s the kind of money reserved for players who don’t just produce—but define a franchise.

“It’s always been the goal to finish my career as a 49er,” Kittle said on the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast. “And now, I’ve got the chance to actually make that happen.”

Highest-Paid Tight End in the League

The numbers speak for themselves. Kittle’s new contract gives him an average annual salary of $19.1 million—making him the highest-paid tight end in NFL history, just edging out Trey McBride ($19M). Travis Kelce comes in third at $17.1 million.

It’s a well-earned payday for a player who has consistently delivered on the field. In 2024, Kittle racked up 1,106 receiving yards—third-most among tight ends—and scored 8 touchdowns. He led all TEs with a whopping 14.2 yards per catch. That kind of production, especially at 31 years old, isn’t normal. It’s elite.

And this wasn’t some lucky bounce season. Kittle has now logged four 1,000-yard seasons, joining the likes of Kelce, Rob Gronkowski, Tony Gonzalez, and Jason Witten. He’s also passed Gronk for second-most receiving yards by a tight end in their first eight seasons (7,380), trailing only Kelce.

“He’s better with time, like a good bottle of wine,” said linebacker Fred Warner. “He’s always been great, but what he’s doing now? It’s insane.”

More Than Just Numbers

Stats are cool, but Kittle’s value goes way beyond that. He’s a tone-setter. A leader. The guy who screams “Let’s go!” in the huddle and backs it up with blocks that make defenders reconsider their life choices.

“He’s the energy of this team,” said head coach Kyle Shanahan. “We feed off him—his toughness, his joy, his love for the game. It’s contagious.”

Kittle’s love for football is almost childlike. He genuinely seems to enjoy every moment—whether it’s diving for a catch, throwing a defender to the turf, or just hyping up fans after a first down.

You can’t fake that. And San Francisco knows it.

“In 2017, we drafted a skinny tight end from Iowa,” GM John Lynch said. “We were excited, but none of us knew he’d become this. George worked for everything. He earned this.”

Chasing a Legacy—and a Super Bowl

This new deal does more than just keep Kittle in a 49ers jersey—it gives him a real shot at entering the franchise’s 10-Year Club. That’s a special group of players who spent a full decade with the team. Only 51 players in 49ers history have done it, and no one has joined since Joe Staley in 2017.

Kittle is about to start his ninth season. One more, and he’s in.

“That’s a huge goal for me,” Kittle admitted. “Being part of that club means you stuck around, gave everything you had, and became part of the fabric of the team. That’s what I want.”

But the goal isn’t just legacy. It’s rings.

Kittle’s still chasing a Super Bowl, and he’s been close. The 2019 loss to the Chiefs still stings. But the team around him remains loaded—Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Nick Bosa, Warner. The window is still open.

“I’m not done,” Kittle said. “Pro Bowls are great, but I want a championship. I want to win it all here.”

Source: 49ers TE George Kittle signs extension through 2029 season

A Win for the Team, Too

The extension isn’t just a personal milestone for Kittle—it’s a smart move for the team. His cap hit for 2025 was originally set to be over $22 million. This new deal lowers that number, giving the 49ers flexibility to keep other stars around.

With big contracts already on the books, managing the salary cap has been tricky. But by restructuring Kittle’s deal, the 49ers create breathing room—especially as they try to extend players like Aiyuk or shore up the offensive line.

It’s a classic win-win. Kittle gets paid. The team gets cap space. Everyone stays competitive.

The Story Continues

Kittle’s path to NFL stardom hasn’t been smooth. He wasn’t a first-round pick. He wasn’t hyped up as a generational talent. He was drafted 146th overall, a late-round pick with potential—but no guarantees.

Now, he’s a six-time Pro Bowler, an All-Pro regular, and arguably the most complete tight end in the game. He blocks like a lineman, moves like a receiver, and talks like a wrestler.

Off the field, he’s just as beloved. Kittle is goofy, friendly, and never takes himself too seriously. Whether he’s wearing WWE shirts to press conferences or getting mic’d up on the sideline, fans see the real guy. And they love him for it.

“This city means the world to me,” Kittle said. “The fans, the locker room, the culture—we’ve built something special.”

And now, thanks to this new contract, he gets to keep building it.

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