49ers roster: 5 players with the highest salary cap hits in 2023

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San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

49ers top contract No. 4: Tight end George Kittle

2023 Cap Hit: $18.033 million ($4.9 million guaranteed)

Over the first half of 2022, it was fair to wonder if All-Pro tight end George Kittle‘s play was starting to underdeliver the kind of money he was scheduled to make.

Fortunately, Kittle got red hot down the stretch after quarterback Brock Purdy took over, and “The People’s Tight End” finished the regular season with a career-best 11 touchdowns.

Not a bad way to go, considering the spike in earnings goes way up in 2023 to as much as just over $18 million with nearly $5 million guaranteed. In 2022, Kittle could have earned up to $7.4 million with just over $1 million guaranteed.

That’s a substantial difference.

Either way, the money suggests Kittle will have to be a pinnacle part of the 49ers offense this season regardless of who is under center and throwing him the ball.