San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is one step closer to achieving his dream of spending his entire NFL career with the team after signing a four-year, $76.4 million extension with the team that drafted him in 2017.
The new deal includes $40 million in guaranteed money and is expected to significantly reduce his projected 2025 salary cap hit of over $22 million.
Kittle, who turns 31 this year, has made no secret of his desire to stay in San Francisco “until the wheels fall off.”
Now, with this extension, he’s set to hit a personal milestone and become part of the 49ers’ exclusive 10-Year Club.
Entering his ninth season in 2025, Kittle would only need to complete one additional season to join the 51 others who have earned that honour since 1946.
Kittle’s extension comes on the heels of one of his finest campaigns. In 2024, he amassed 1,106 receiving yards – third-most among NFL tight ends – along with eight touchdowns (tied for second).
The People's Tight End is locked in‼️
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) April 29, 2025
His dominance earned him a sixth Pro Bowl selection and he joined an elite group of tight ends – Travis Kelce, Rob Gronkowski, Tony Gonzalez, and Jason Witten – as one of only five to log at least four 1,000-yard seasons.
Additionally, he surpassed Gronkowski for the second-most receiving yards by a tight end through eight NFL seasons, trailing only Kelce.
“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,” president of football operations and general manager John Lynch said.
“George’s leadership, enthusiasm for the game, for his teammates, and the Faithful are truly unique and special. He is an outstanding representation for the 49ers on the field and is an outstanding representative for the organization off the field with his investment in the local and military communities.
“He has a great sense of pride in his role and has put in the work to be one of the best tight ends in the NFL.”
