NFL
Top 10 Highest-Paid NFL Tight Ends: George Kittle Contract Becomes New No. 1
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Get to know Dan Girolamo betterPublished29 Apr 2025
George Kittle is now the highest-paid NFL tight end after signing a massive contract extension with the San Francisco 49ers.
George Kittle Gets His Contract Extension
BREAKING: George Kittle signs extension with 49ers per Bussin’ With The Boys
4 years, $76.4M ($19.1M/year)
$40M total guaranteed ($35M at signing + $5M in ‘27)Please credit The Boys properly @bussinwtb, @_willcompton, @TaylorLewan77 pic.twitter.com/Pwfmf643vq
— Bussin' With The Boys (@BussinWTB) April 29, 2025
Kittle will remain in the Bay Area for the foreseeable future.
Per Bussin’ with the Boys’ Will Compton and Taylor Lewan, Kittle and the 49ers have agreed to a four-year, 76.4 million contract extension.
The deal includes $40 million guaranteed — $35 million at signing and $5 million in 2027.
With an average annual value of $19.1 million, Kittle becomes the NFL’s highest-paid tight end.
Kittle is now signed with the team through 2029.
Kittle, 31, remains one of the five best tight ends in the league. The former fifth-round pick of the 2017 draft has been named to six Pro Bowls, two First-team All-Pros, and three Second-team All-Pros.
Kittle has recorded 538 receptions for 7,380 yards and 45 touchdowns in eight seasons as a 49er.
2024 was one of the best of his career thanks to 78 catches for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns.
Kittle has amassed 7,380 yards and 45 touchdowns on 538 receptions as a Niner.
With Kittle’s deal signed, the 49ers can turn all of their attention toward signing quarterback Brock Purdy.
Top 10 Highest-Paid NFL Tight Ends
| Player | Team | Average Per Year |
| George Kittle | San Francisco 49ers | $19.1 million |
| Trey McBride | Arizona Cardinals | $19 million |
| Travis Kelce | Kansas City Chiefs | $17.125 million |
| T.J. Hockenson | Minnesota Vikings | $16.5 million |
| Dallas Goedert | Philadelphia Eagles | $14.25 million |
| Mark Andrews | Baltimore Ravens | $14 million |
| David Njoku | Cleveland Browns | $13.687 million |
| Cole Kmet | Chicago Bears | $12.5 million |
| Pat Freiermuth | Pittsburgh Steelers | $12.1 million |
| Dalton Schultz | Houston Texans | $12 million |
Via Overthecap.com.
Kittle is now the new No. 1 on the list of highest-paid NFL tight ends.
Arizona’s Trey McBride held the top spot for about one month. McBride signed a four-year contract extension worth $76 million, which amounts to $19 million annually.
The rest of the top five: Kansas City’s Travis Kelce ($17.125 million), Minnesota’s T.J. Hockenson ($16.5 million), and Philadelphia’s Dallas Goedert ($14.25 million).
