After securing a contract extension, George Kittle is on the verge of doing something wholly historic with the 49ers this season.
The San Francisco 49ers were more than wise to offer All-Pro tight end George Kittle a hefty contract extension, one that re-cements his status as the league's top-paid player at his position.
With the four-year deal, the Niners ensure Kittle isn't going anywhere for the foreseeable future. And, despite him being 31 years old, there's no reason to assume there'll be a dramatic drop in the kind of production he's delivered in recent years.
Speaking of production, the No. 1 tight end in franchise history is closing in on some awfully important milestones that won't just cement him as San Francisco's best at the position.
But rather one of the best 49ers players of all time.
George Kittle is awfully close to 2 heralded 49ers milestones
There's a chance Kittle winds up as the Niners' No. 2 pass catcher in franchise history, and that accolade could happen as quickly as the 2025 season.
Hall of Famer Jerry Rice is the unquestioned No. 1, and there's no hyperbole needed when looking at his team records.
However, Kittle is not that far off from the No. 2 receiver on San Francisco's lists, fellow Hall of Famer Terrell Owens, whose team accolades are in danger of being caught by Kittle this year.
49ers catch leaders
- Jerry Rice: 1,281
- Terrell Owens: 592
- George Kittle: 538
49ers receiving yard leaders
- Jerry Rice: 19,247
- Terrell Owens: 8,572
- George Kittle: 7,380
Kittle trails Owens in the receiving-yards department by 1,192 yards, which means "The People's Tight End" would have to record his third consecutive 1,000-yard season and then some (he finished 2024 with 1,106 yards over 15 games, so this isn't too far off from reality).
A thinned-out wide receiver room entering 2025, thanks largely to the offseason departure of Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders, could ultimately mean more targets for Kittle, thereby increasing his yardage.
Speaking of catches, Kittle is well within range of Owens, there, too, trailing the Hall of Famer by only 54 grabs.
The last time Kittle failed to reach at least 54 catches in a season was back in 2020 when he had 48 over an injury-plagued eight-game campaign.
So, barring an elongated absence or notable drop in production, 2025 could easily reveal Kittle as the second-best pass-catching weapon the 49ers have ever boasted.
Hat tip to Niner Noise friend Al Sacco for the find and data accumulation.