On Wednesday morning, The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported that, according to sources, tight end George Kittle's absence from the start of the San Francisco 49ers' offseason program is contract-related. Russini added that the two sides remain far apart in negotiations for a potential extension.


However, one highly credible source has since pushed back on that claim—Kittle himself. The All-Pro tight end took to social media to dispute the report, posting simply, "Your source is incorrect."



Kittle's absence from the voluntary portion of the 49ers' offseason program is not out of the ordinary. In the past, the veteran tight end said he traditionally trains in Nashville, Tennessee, during this phase of the offseason and typically joins the team once on-field work begins.

Russini's report suggested that Kittle's decision to stay away this year had more to do with ongoing contract negotiations than previously believed.

"Kittle wants to become the NFL's highest-paid tight end, per a league source," Russini wrote in a feature for The Athletic. "... San Francisco's offers to Kittle have thus far been rebuffed, and the two sides remain apart as Kittle, who will be 32 in October, enters the final year of his deal. I'm told no trade request has been made, but other teams are keeping an eye on it."

Kittle is coming off another stellar season, his fourth with over 1,000 receiving yards. In 2024, he caught 78 passes for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns, earning a league-best 92.1 offensive grade from Pro Football Focus among tight ends.

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