49ers rejected trade offer for George Kittle before star tight end agreed to massive extension, per report

Kittle inked a $76.4 million extension with San Francisco earlier this week

George Kittle is set up to finish his career with the San Francisco 49ers after inking a four-year extension with the organization that takes him through his age-36 season. However, days before he came to terms on that extension, one club tried to pry the star tight end out of the Bay Area. 

As The Athletic reports, the Niners spoke with a team interested in acquiring Kittle via trade the night before the 2025 NFL Draft began. That club even offered a second-round pick in exchange for Kittle. Despite that, the 49ers rejected the offer and, less than a week later, reached an agreement on a four-year, $76.4 million extension that made Kittle the highest-paid tight end in the NFL (on an average annual basis) and locked in his future with the organization. Before that extension, Kittle was entering the final year of his previous contract. 

Given that Kittle is set to turn 32 during the 2025 season on top of his contractual status at the time of those trade talks, a second-round pick would've quite the return for general manager John Lynch. That said, the franchise clearly views him as an instrumental piece not only to reject the trade offer, but to then double down on Kittle with the extension. 

While Kittle's age would tell you he's on the back-nine of his career, he's still producing as one of the league's best tight ends. He's been named an All-Pro in each of the last three seasons and a Pro Bowler over the last four. In 2024, he topped 1,000 yards receiving for the second-straight year, finishing the campaign with 78 receptions, 1,106 yards, and eight touchdowns. Those receiving yards and receiving touchdown totals were the second-best of his career. 

Kittle will also prove to be a key piece of the offense as it goes through a transition after moving on from wideout Deebo Samuel earlier this offseason. His presence will ensure quarterback Brock Purdy -- who is due for an extension himself -- has a go-to target at the ready for the foreseeable future.