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Add Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young to the list of those who want to see the San Francisco 49ers lock up All-Pro tight end
George Kittle at any cost, even if it means playing him like a wide receiver.
Kittle isn't a wide receiver, but he is the team's best receiver, having gained over 1,000 yards in each of the past two seasons. That includes a 2018 campaign during which he hauled in 88 passes for 1,377 yards, which set an NFL single-season record for receiving yards by a tight end.
Those are elite wide receiver numbers, and Young, who joined KNBR last week, believes it is enough to blow the roof off the tight end market.
"I don't really care what position, I don't really care what tight ends make or wide receivers make," Young said on the
Tolbert, Krueger and Brooks show (h/t to
Alex Didion of NBC Sports). "Just the importance that he has to the team is incredible, and no matter how you cut the data, it's proven. George Kittle is one of the most talented players in the league, and most productive.
"So then, they're gonna have to pay him as a wide receiver. They're gonna have to, and George knows that. The problem is, there might be a hybrid. I agree that he's not going to necessarily make every dollar that a wide receiver makes, but he's not going to get trapped into the tight end spot."
Young goes on to explain that the 49ers have proven that they are willing to make the difficult decisions if they feel it is what's best in the long-term, using the trade of DeForest Buckner as an example. He adds, however, that he can't envision team decision-makers making the same type of call with Kittle.
"I think, right now, they seem to be doing everything very disciplined to make sure that they put a great team out there," Young continued. "Unfortunately, you're going to see guys leave when you're not ready for it, but it won't be George Kittle. There's no way that could happen."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Young below.
A recent discussion on NFL Network also had the
Good Morning Football hosts making their case for
Kittle to earn wide receiver-type money.
"Travis Kelce signed a huge deal three years ago, $9.3 million a year," said Kay Adams. "He's the third-highest paid tight end. There are 26 wide receivers set to make more than Travis Kelce in 2020. And there's nothing wrong with these receivers, but they aren't impact guys like Kelce (or Kittle) is to their respective teams."
She added that the top tight ends in the NFL are "pathetically" paid, and Kittle can drastically reset the market for his position group.
"I'm telling you, San Francisco, lock this guy in and give him the biggest contract you can," added Nate Burleson. "Reset the market, if that's what it takes; pay him like a wide receiver, if that's what it takes, because guys like this don't come along every year."
San Francisco made Kittle a fifth-round selection out of Iowa in 2017. He has since earned two Pro Bowl selections, and this past season earned first-team All-Pro honors.
After the success of "Quarterback," the NFL has announced a new series on Netflix called "Receiver." This series will follow a similar format but focus on those who haul in passes. San Francisco 49ers fans will be delighted to learn that two popular team players, wide receiver Deebo Samuel and tight end George Kittle, will be among those featured in the upcoming show.
The two 49ers stars are among the most charismatic individuals on the roster, so it's easy to see why they were chosen for the series. The other stars of the show will be Davante Adams of the Las Vegas Raiders, Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings, and Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Detroit
According to general manager John Lynch, San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward wasn't the sole player to undergo core muscle surgery this offseason. Lynch disclosed to reporters at the NFL owners meetings on Monday that All-Pro tight end George Kittle also had the procedure.
However, the silver lining is that both players are expected to be fully cleared for training camp, set to commence at the end of July.
George Kittle and Charvarius Ward both had core muscle surgery this offseason and will be back, fully cleared, for
Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz reports that the New Orleans Saints are signing former Washington Commanders and San Francisco 49ers defensive end Chase Young. He became an unrestricted free agent last week.
BREAKING: Free agent pass rusher Chase Young is expected to get a deal with the #Saints, sources tell @BleacherReport.A big time talent finds a new home.
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Just in: The #49ers are losing a 2025 5th-round pick and will have their 2024 4th-round pick (#131) move to the end of the fourth round because of payroll accounting errors. pic.twitter.com/X8D33mY94A— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate)