George Kittle has made it more likely than ever that he'll end his career with the San Francisco 49ers.
Per ESPN and multiple outlets, the star tight end has agreed to a four-year, $76 million contract extension with the team, making him the highest-paid tight end by both total and average contract value.
This is a positive end to a tumultuous week for both the 49ers and Kittle: in the time between the start of the 49ers offseason program and the NFL Draft, Kittle had failed to show up for the start of the offseason program, refuted a report it was related to his contract, and returned surreptitiously to the 49ers facility.
It's possible that appearance helped bridge the impasse in contract talks. Regardless, the team has now agreed to a deal with their star offensive weapon, marking one major offseason milestone in a potentially busy one of extensions for the 49ers.
So far in his career, he's amassed 538 catches for 7380 yards and 45 touchdowns, playing in 113 games. That's led to him being named a first-team All-Pro twice (in 2019 and 2023) and six Pro Bowls.
That's quite a return for a lightly-regarded fifth-round draft pick out of Iowa.
Kittle must surely be one of General Manager John Lynch and Head Coach Kyle Shanahan's biggest NFL Draft success stories, and he'll now continue his career working under them. He's become possibly the most vital component of Kyle Shanahan's offense, providing key blocks in the run game while producing several sparkling plays in the passing game.
He's also made himself a firm favourite with the 49ers fanbase, with his zany antics and fun-loving attitude endearing himself to the team as his success has grown. That's also true for the locker room, where he's developed into one of the team's leaders.
In the end, it made sense for both sides to lock Kittle up for the long term. Kittle gets to continue his career in an offense entirely suited to him, whereas the 49ers keep a leader and top player at their position for what will end up being the bulk of his career.
Next up for the 49ers is likely quarterback Brock Purdy.
Perhaps John Lynch and his negotiators might allow themselves a few days of celebration before going back to work on that particular deal.