George Kittle is no stranger to NFL contract negotiations. The All-Pro tight end experienced the business side of the sport firsthand during his own contract discussions with the San Francisco 49ers in 2020.
Currently, all eyes are on the ongoing negotiations between the 49ers and star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Aiyuk is under contract and set to earn $14.124 million on a team-exercised fifth-year option, a figure significantly below market value. Aiyuk seeks to become one of the highest-paid receivers in the NFL.
With veterans scheduled to report to training camp in less than two weeks, fans are eager for a swift resolution.
Kittle appeared on the "Rich Eisen Show" today and was asked about Aiyuk's situation. The tight end sent a clear message, expressing his expectation that Aiyuk will be part of the team in 2024.
"I think, if you look at my career, being a Forty-Niner, and the way most of the contracts have gone, I didn't get signed until the second week of training camp, [WR] Deebo [Samuel] was pretty late [in 2022]," Kittle told Eisen. "[DE Nick] Bosa was [right before] the first week of [last] season. That's just how business is done out there.
"I'm not in the meetings. I have no idea [how negotiations are progressing]. I actually go out of my way to not talk to anybody going through contract negotiations, so when people ask me questions, I have absolutely no idea. But, I'm not concerned about it.
"Aiyuk's a phenomenal football player who's a big part of our offense, and he's one of the most complete receivers that I've ever played with. So I'm gonna assume that Aiyuk's gonna be on our team by the time the season starts."
Last month, Aiyuk missed the 49ers' mandatory minicamp, subjecting himself to approximately $100,000 worth of fines. The fine total will increase if he opts to skip training camp as a negotiating tactic.
Aiyuk and the rest of the 49ers' veterans must report for training camp on July 23. Rookies report next week.