3 burning questions for 49ers tight ends in 2020
By Peter Panacy
The 49ers have the best tight end in the league, George Kittle, but the depth behind him is questionable. That’s one question facing the team in 2020.
Not surprisingly, Pro Football Focus recently ranked the San Francisco 49ers‘ cast of tight ends No. 1 in the league heading into the upcoming 2020 season.
It helps to have the 2019 All-Pro, George Kittle, of course. He was PFF’s best player overall last season, and the multitude of records he’s already set help push this unit above all others within the pro ranks.
Kittle has his own question marks in 2020, however, particularly with regards to the kind of contract he’s set to earn once the final year of his rookie deal ends this season. Considering his average annual salary has been a mere $674,574 over the contract’s lifespan, it’s safe to say Kittle will easily reset the tight end market, potentially making anywhere north of $13 million annually.
That’s arguably the biggest burning question facing San Francisco this offseason. And it’s one not to be taken lightly, given the 49ers aren’t exactly swimming in cap space any longer.
But what about the other pressing questions? After all, extension or not, Kittle will be on the field for the Niners this season.
San Francisco underwent some notable changes at the position behind Kittle this offseason, namely bidding farewell to former players Levine Toilolo while welcoming aboard rookies Charlie Woerner and Chase Harrell. Depth figures to be a prime question mark, especially considering Kittle’s two-game absence last year, but there is far more to how the depth chart pans out than just injury insurance.
Niner Noise asks three key questions facing this group heading into the upcoming season.