The San Francisco 49ers today announced they have signed All-Pro TE George Kittle to a four-year contract extension through the 2029 season.
“In 2017, our first year with the 49ers, we selected a skinny tight end from Iowa whom we were really excited about. We had high hopes, but no one knew that he would become the player that he is today,” said President of Football Operations and General Manager John Lynch. “George’s leadership, enthusiasm for the game, for his teammates, and the Faithful are truly unique and special. He is an outstanding representation for the 49ers on the field and is an outstanding representative for the organization off the field with his investment in the local and military communities. He has a great sense of pride in his role and has put in the work to be one of the best tight ends in the NFL.”
Kittle (6-4, 250) was originally drafted by the 49ers in the fifth round (146th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft. Throughout his eight-year career (2017-24), he has appeared in 113 games (105 starts), registering 538 receptions for 7,380 yards (13.7 average) and 45 touchdowns. He has also started in all 12 postseason contests he has appeared in and registered 33 receptions for 455 yards (13.8 average) and two touchdowns.
A five-time Associated Press All-Pro [First-Team (2019 & 2023) & Second-Team (2018, 2022 & 2024)] and six-time Pro Bowl (2019-20 & 2022-25) selection, Kittle holds the records for the most receptions (538) and receiving yards (7,380) by a tight end in franchise history. His 538 receptions and 7,380 receiving yards make him the third tight end in NFL history to have registered 500-or-more receptions and 7,000-or-more receiving yards in his first eight NFL seasons, joining former TE Antonio Gates and Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce. He has reached the 1,000-yard mark four times in his career (2018-19 & 2023-24), which is the third-most such seasons in franchise history and makes him one of five tight ends in NFL history to register four career seasons with 1,000-or-more receiving yards (TE Travis Kelce, KC – Seven; TE Tony Gonzalez, KC – Four; TE Rob Gronkowski, NE – Four; TE Jason Witten, Dal. – Four).
In 2024, Kittle started in 15 games and recorded team highs in receptions (78), receiving yards (1,106) and receiving touchdowns (eight). He led all NFL tight ends in yards per reception (14.2) and games with 100-or-more receiving yards (four). In addition, Kittle was named the NFL Salute to Service award recipient, which is an annual award presented by the NFL and USAA to recognize individuals within the NFL community who have made exceptional efforts to honor and support the military community. He was also the recipient of the team’s Len Eshmont Award, the 49ers most prestigious annual honor, which is given each year to the 49ers player who best exemplifies the “inspirational and courageous play” of Len Eshmont, who was a member of the original 1946 49ers team. It marks the second time in his career that Kittle earned the team honor (2019). In 2018, Kittle was the recipient of the team’s Bill Walsh Award, which is given to the 49er who has best represented the standard of professional excellence established by Walsh.
