That was short-lived. Grant Cohn of Sports Illustrated — not too long ago today — reported that the San Francisco 49ers were on the cusp of a six-year, $94.8 million contract extension for All-Pro tight end George Kittle.
Don't celebrate just yet.
Kittle himself replied via Twitter, asking, "Y'all believe everything you read on the internet, huh?"
Y'all believe everything you read on the internet huh 😑 https://t.co/2TcAdjKjN5
— George Kittle (@gkittle46) August 12, 2020
There you go.
Cohn's report stated that the 49ers would announce the new deal on Friday. It sounds like this is news to Kittle, or it could be that the details simply have not been finalized. We'll find out in the coming days.
Meanwhile, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports that his sources indicate that there is "healthier progress" toward a new deal between the two sides, but that nothing has been agreed to yet.
"The sides have not reached any agreement, league sources indicated Wednesday to NBC Sports Bay Area," wrote Maiocco, "but they appear to be making 'healthier progress' toward a deal that is expected to make Kittle the highest-paid tight end in the NFL by a wide margin."
Mike Silver of NFL Network also reports that there has been progress in the negotiations. Silver has reportedly been receiving his information from Kittle's agent, Jack Bechta.
In reference to the @grantcohn report: I'm told the 49ers and George Kittle are 'making progress' on a lucrative contract extension... which means the 🐛 emoji may be obsolete. He's on track to be the highest-paid TE in league history, by far.
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) August 12, 2020
In Cohn's defense, he did begin his report with "Take this for what it's worth," before offering up significant contract details.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said last week that general manager John Lynch has been working diligently to get a deal with Kittle done.
"I know right now, as we speak, every day, I know John's upstairs working his butt off talking to Kittle's agent," said Shanahan, "and those two are trying to work it out."