While the NFL Draft captivated the attention of the league, the 49ers have another development with George Kittle.
At the start of the San Francisco 49ers' offseason workout program, (somewhat) big news emanated when All-Pro George Kittle opted not to show up for the voluntary sessions.
Numerous media outlets made a big deal out of it, highlighting how Kittle was awaiting a new contract extension as he is poised to hit free agency in 2026. Additional reporting suggested Kittle was aiming to reclaim his title as the NFL's top-paid tight end.
Although it didn't take long for the All-Pro to refute such claims.
Somewhat lost in the news cycle and overreactions is the fact Kittle has often skipped the opening days of such activities, so his absence likely didn't trigger any alarm bells at Levi's Stadium.
But, with the drama and flurry surrounding the 2025 NFL Draft and the Niners' selections therein, Kittle quietly worked his way back to the Bay Area.
George Kittle is back at the 49ers' facility, per report
Toward the end of Round 3 of the draft, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport snuck in a report that revealed Kittle was back in the building, looping in the part about working toward a new contract:
Worth noting for the #49ers: TE George Kittle was back in the building today for offseason conditioning, per me and @MikeGarafolo. As the two sides continue to discuss a contract extension...
There's a chance Kittle wants to secure a deal that'll surpass the Arizona Cardinals' Trey McBride's new league-leading $19 million per season for a tight end.
Considering Kittle is coming off yet another 1,000-yard season and is still playing at an elite level, it's easy to understand. But, San Francisco's negotiations with him are likely being held up by other contract talks with quarterback Brock Purdy, which understandably take precedence.
That said, San Francisco has struggled to engineer contracts with its top players in recent years, frequently waiting until well into training camp to get them finalized.
One can hope Kittle's attendance is linked to a would-be extension, but it's just as possible that drama will continue to play out.
