Brock Purdy’s arrival at 49ers sends message about contract status

Tight end George Kittle did not report to the San Francisco 49ers on Tuesday for the start of the team's offseason program, which currently consists only of meetings and workouts. Since these sessions are voluntary, Kittle's absence isn't necessarily a cause for concern. He's likely continuing his training from home in Nashville.

Kittle is entering the final year of the record-setting contract he signed in 2020, which at the time made him the highest-paid tight end. Since then, three tight ends have surpassed him, with Trey McBride's recent $19 million per year deal now topping the market.

Multiple reports indicate that Kittle and the 49ers remain "far apart" in negotiations for a new deal, which likely explains his absence this week.

RELATED Purdy reports to 49ers' offseason program; Kittle does not

But Kittle isn't the only 49ers player working toward a contract extension. The biggest storyline of the offseason continues to revolve around quarterback Brock Purdy, who is expected to sign the largest contract in franchise history. Unlike Kittle, Purdy did report to the team on Tuesday, according to multiple reports.

So, what does Purdy's presence say about the status of his contract talks?

Many believed his decision to show up—something that wasn't a certainty—suggests the gap between the two sides may not be as wide as once thought. It also indicates that negotiations remain on a positive track.

It was important for Purdy to be there as the 49ers look to bounce back from a disappointing 6-11 season. In January, the quarterback made it clear that he was eager to return to work and help turn things around in 2025.

"More than anything, for me, I want to be able to handle business the right way, and do it in a respectable manner, and get back to my team as fast as I can, to get going, to get better, to grow together," Purdy said.

Where do things stand in contract talks between Purdy and the 49ers? That's still unclear. Both sides have kept the details of the negotiations private. However, Michael Silver of The Athletic reported this week that there has been some progress toward a multi-year extension, one that will likely pay Purdy more than $50 million per year.

No on-field work is scheduled for a couple more weeks, giving the 49ers time to focus on the NFL Draft and continue working toward a deal with their young quarterback. For now, they can be relieved that Purdy is present and avoiding any unnecessary distractions, something San Francisco has struggled to steer clear of in recent offseasons.

"I'm not the kind of guy that wants to have any kind of drama associated with anything," Purdy said in January. "I'm here for this organization, for my teammates in the locker room, and I want to be very professional about it."