The San Francisco 49ers and TE George Kittle are in agreement on a 5 year, $75 million contract extension, per NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
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Rapoport reported that the 2 sides were on the cusp of a massive extension yesterday. Today, the news became official.
The #49ers are giving TE George Kittle an $18M signing bonus, source said. A large sum especially in a pandemic. Mostly, he blows the doors off the TE market and they keep their own. https://t.co/WVOrQflHXp
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 13, 2020
There has been a lot of stir in the media in the past few days surrounding Kittle’s contract situation. It was expected he would sign a long term deal, but it now finally looks like he’ll put pen to paper.
Also read: Minnesota Vikings : Roster, Preview and Predictions for 2020 Season
A George Kittle Deal
Kittle’s agent, Jack Bechta, recently told NFL Network’s Mike Silver,”I don’t care about the tight end market, I’m getting paid to do a George Kittle deal”.
Bechta definitely did his job. Previously, Austin Hooper’s $42 million contract with the Browns was the highest in NFL history for a TE. This one blows that out of the water.
The 2019 PFF player of the year is expected to sign an extension totaling $75 million over 5 years. Additionally, more than half of the contract is guaranteed, and he will also receive an $18 million signing bonus.
Kittle undoubtedly earned his huge payday. He played a principal role in the 49ers’ Super Bowl run last year, racking up 85 receptions for 1,053 yards.
Also read: NFL Preseason Power Rankings: Who will win Super Bowl LV?
Win-Win Situation
The deal will only total to $15 million/year meaning the San Francisco 49ers won’t have to spend wide receiver money on him. They’ll keep him locked down for 5 years, but their salary cap won’t be hit too hard.
For Kittle, the contract makes him the highest paid at his position in the league, and also in history. Moreover, he’ll have job security for the next 5 years considering around $40 million out of the 75 will be guaranteed.
The value of guaranteed money cannot be stressed enough in a league like the NFL. A single injury is enough to derail the career of even the best TE in the league.
Kittle, who is only 26 years old, still has his best seasons ahead of him. Without a doubt, he’ll be a key piece for the 49ers, who will be hoping to carry some of their momentum from last season into 2020.
