San Francisco 49ers running back Raheem Mostert has requested a trade, citing unproductive contract talks as the reason. While he isn't scheduled to become a free agent until 2022, he will earn a base salary of just $2.575 million this year.
Don't expect such a demand to come from All-Pro tight end George Kittle anytime soon. Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area this week said he wouldn't be surprised if Kittle's agent told the tight end to hold out for a contract extension.
It doesn't even sound like that will happen.
"Being a captain, I want to be there for my team, and I need to show the right leadership skills," Kittle told NBC Sports Bay Area on Wednesday while promoting Gatorade's "Beat the Heat" program.
Of course, that's all Kittle said on the matter, differing all additional questions on the subject to his agent, Jack Bechta.
Bechta has been seeking to make Kittle the highest-paid tight end in the NFL, not just surpassing the market for the position but potentially obliterating it. While Kittle is a tight end, that doesn't mean Bechta is only using those salaries as a starting point while negotiating for his client. He also sees Kittle as the 49ers' best receiver and one of their best blockers, which could bring wide receiver and offensive lineman salaries into play.
"At the end of the day, I trust the Niners will do the right thing, and take good care of George, as they should," Bechta told Maiocco last month. "I trust the process, and I won't comment where we're at or numbers or anything like that, but hopefully, it gets done."
The 49ers made Kittle a fifth-round selection out of Iowa in 2017. He registered 85 receptions for 1,053 yards with five touchdowns through 14 games with the 49ers in 2019, per NFL.com.
Kittle has caught 216 passes for 2,945 yards with 12 touchdowns through his three NFL seasons. He earned first-team All-Pro honors this past season and is a two-time Pro Bowl selection.