The San Francisco 49ers and George Kittle on Thursday agreed to terms on a massive five-year contract extension that will pay the All-Pro tight end up to $75 million.
The annual average of $15 million makes Kittle the highest-paid tight end in football history. The deal significantly eclipsed the multi-year contract that pays Austin Hooper of the Cleveland Browns an average of $10.5 million and the one-year, $10.6 million deal for Hunter Henry of the Los Angeles Chargers.
Shortly after the details of Kittle's deal were made public, Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs agreed to an extension that will average about $14.3 million per year.
Kittle's teammates reacted on social media to his contract details, which were first reported by Ian Rapoport and Mike Silver of NFL Network and the Pardon My Take podcast.
Big 💰💰💰💰💰💸💸💸💸! Congrats @gkittle46 ‼️ https://t.co/CuXoWKWeWg
— Kwon Alexander (@kwon) August 13, 2020
Life changing deal. Couldn't be happier for my brother https://t.co/2ymexsD7Tw
— Trent Taylor (@Trent5Taylor) August 13, 2020
This not even a question. The world famous tightens @gkittle46 🙏🏾❤️ https://t.co/QpgFKrxkUe
— Deebo (@19problemz) August 13, 2020
Deserves every penny! https://t.co/mOqEuavoW9
— Solomon Thomas (@SollyThomas90) August 13, 2020
Ain't seen one like him! https://t.co/zVY7h2jeXz
— Keaundre Greenlaw (@DreGreenlaw) August 13, 2020
That's BIG money!! Congrats my guy!! @gkittle46 https://t.co/GHpuYcjc7n
— Kyle Juszczyk (@JuiceCheck44) August 13, 2020
Best in the game! 🔥💪🏾 @gkittle46 https://t.co/fYzKCgAbR4
— Kendrick Bourne Poly (@BournePoly11) August 13, 2020
Well deserved!!! Best in the business https://t.co/tOliOTJhiO
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) August 13, 2020
Kittle currency ! Congrats my dawg @gkittle46 💪🏾 https://t.co/Q1KYSa1YTf
— Jerick Mckinnon (@JetMckinnon1) August 13, 2020
"He's the best blocking tight end, best catching tight end, best tight end in the league," pass rusher Dee Ford said Thursday of Kittle. "... I'm proud of him. He really deserves every penny."