1. 49ers TE George Kittle
Yes, some people are calling for a George Kittle trade before the deadline next week. No, it won’t happen. Let’s talk about why.
Firstly, money. Trading Kittle would come at an enormous cost.
I don't know who needs to hear this, but the 49ers cannot trade George Kittle prior to the 2024 offseason.
— Getty (@ItzGetty) October 25, 2021
Kittle has a $28m dead cap hit in 2022.
In 2023, Kittle has a $13m dead cap hit with a $16m cap hit, so they'd save $3m vs the cap.
Is Kittle worth $3m? Yes, obviously.
For this reason and this reason alone, Kittle is safe through at least this season.
Even if money wasn’t a factor, trading an elite tight end talent in Kittle would be a horrible decision. Kittle provides more value to the 49ers offense than anything San Francisco could get in return for him. When healthy, he is one of the league’s best route-runners and run blockers. He’s the player who elevates everyone around him and executes on whatever offensive ideas Shanahan draws up.
Without him this season, they are 0-2.
Bottom line: Kittle is staying on the 49ers roster long after the Nov. 2 trade deadline, and the 49ers are better for it.