The San Francisco 49ers had a choice to make- and it wasn’t an easy one on paper. A second-round draft pick sat on the table. All they had to do was say yes, and one of the NFL’s most physical tight ends would be gone. But they didn’t blink.
Instead, they doubled down on loyalty, leadership, and legacy. This week, the 49ers shut down a surprise trade offer for George Kittle and signed him to a fresh four-year extension worth over $75 million. For a team trying to manage a tightening salary cap and prep for a massive quarterback deal, it was a bold and telling move.
A Second-Round Pick? No Deal
On The Athletic’s “Scoop City” podcast, NFL insider Diana Russini revealed that a team approached San Francisco with a second-round pick in exchange for Kittle. The 49ers didn’t budge. “I don’t think the 49ers ever wanted to walk away from George Kittle either,” Russini said. “I don’t think George Kittle wanted to walk away from the 49ers. They always wanted to be together.”
Before the 49ers and George Kittle agreed to a lucrative extension, I'm told a team offered a second-round pick for the six-time Pro Bowler.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) May 2, 2025
San Francisco turned it down.
More, on Scoop City: pic.twitter.com/xt74zew2Tf
Former NFL quarterback and co-host Chase Daniel questioned the move, pointing out Kittle’s age. “A second-round pick for a 32-year-old tight end seems like a really good return on investment,” Daniel said. But for the 49ers, it wasn’t just about numbers or age. It was about value, the kind that doesn’t show up on a trade chart.
Kittle isn’t just another offensive weapon. He’s one of the emotional leaders of the locker room, a fan favorite, and a consistent playmaker. Last season, even with San Francisco missing the playoffs after a brutal stretch of injuries, Kittle put up 78 catches for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns. He made the All-Pro team again and became only the third tight end in team history to notch three 1,000-yard seasons.
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With Kittle’s future now secure, the 49ers can focus on quarterback Brock Purdy’s extension. Purdy is expected to command north of $50 million annually after leading San Francisco to a Super Bowl appearance. That kind of contract will stretch the cap, but the team appears committed to keeping its core intact.
By holding onto Kittle, San Francisco made it clear where its priorities lie. The franchise sees more than a few good seasons left in him and isn’t ready to trade away leadership and production for a draft pick, no matter how tempting the offer.
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