(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
It’s here folks. After some substantial concern over the 49ers’ methodical approach to handling contract extensions, it appears George Kittle has received his well-deserved payday. On Wednesday night NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Silver reported that an extension is “very close” to being done.
It reportedly only took a few hours for the two sides to work out the last few kinks. According to Rapoport and Silver, the 49ers have agreed to a five-year contract extension worth a total of $75 million. According to Pardon My Take, $30 million is guaranteed at signing and $40 million for injury.
The $15 million per year make Kittle the highest paid tight end in history from a per year basis, and reset the tight end market that had a top end of about $10 million per year. While there has never been a tight end to receive a $30 million signing bonus, there have also only been six offensive linemen in history to receive that kind of guarantee, showing just how much the 49ers value Kittle.
The #49ers & star TE George Kittle are in agreement on a 5-year, $75M extension, sources tell me & @MikeSilver, one that gives him more than half of it in guarantees. Language is being worked on, but numbers are there. One of their top players, this was a big-time priority 💰💰💰
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 13, 2020
These reporters add that George Kittle gets $30M guaranteed at signing. https://t.co/3zL1gRJe49
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 13, 2020
Earlier on Wednesday, Sports Illustrated’s Grant Cohn reported that a Kittle deal would be done on Friday. Kittle himself chimed in on Twitter later on Wednesday, seemingly to discredit Cohn’s report. Looks like Cohn was on to something after all.
Y’all believe everything you read on the internet huh 😑 https://t.co/2TcAdjKjN5
— George Kittle (@gkittle46) August 12, 2020