Josie Lepe / Associated Press
Tight-end George Kittle is one of the San Francisco 49ers’ best offensive playmakers, and he’s likely to be paid as one as well.
Jack Bechta, Kittle’s agent, confirmed to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area that his client and the 49ers agreed to a five-year, $ 75 million contract. Per Bechta, Kittle will guarantee a signing bonus of $ 18 million and $ 30 million upon signing. There are total guarantees of $ 40 million, according to Bechta.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network first reported the deal.
Kittle was previously set to receive $ 2.1 million in base salary in 2020, and he earned $ 645,000 in base salary in 2019. He signed that contract after San Francisco selected him in the fifth round of the NFL Draft 2017, and he was given significantly underpaid its production.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported on Dec. 15. that “few around the league believe Kittle will play next season under those conditions.”
Schefter noted that Kittle, Zach Ertz of the Philadelphia Eagles and Austin Hooper, then of the Atlanta Falcons, were expected. “redefine the value of NFL tight ends, and the position is about to see a big bump in the salaries paid to them. “
Minnesota Vikings’ Kyle Rudolph was the highest paid tight end of the league not on a rookie deal last season at $ 9.35 million.
The Cleveland Browns tekene Hooper following a four-year, $ 42 million deal in March that included Rapoport, Mike Silver and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network report made him to the time the highest paid tight end of the league.
Kittle did not get a big rookie contract because he was a fifth rounder, but he did not forget much time to make his mark. He flashed his potential with 43 catches for 515 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie, and he made a massive leap the following season.
He completed the 2018 campaign with 88 catches for 1,377 yards and five touchdowns, setting the NFL one-season record for receiving yards through a tight end.
In 2019, he cemented himself as one of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo’s go-to options. He paused 85 catches for 1,053 yards and five touchdowns in the regular season, which helped the 49ers reach the playoffs for the first time since the 2013 season and advance to the Super Bowl.
Kittle collected just eight catches for 71 yards and zero touchdowns in three playoff games, but his block consistently opened holes for a running game that propelled San Francisco to the Super Bowl.
Kittle is only 26 years old, was a chapter in turning around one of the league’s proud franchises and is already a record-setting end. It was just a matter of time before he got a massive pay rise.
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