The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reports the 49ers turned down a trade for George Kittle.

05 May 2025

This news came from Russini’s ‘Scoop City’ podcast. Russini reports that an unnamed team offered the 49ers a second-round pick in exchange for Kittle’s services, but the Niners declined the trade and signed him to a four-year extension days later. A second-round pick sounds like solid compensation for Kittle, who will be 32 at the start of this season, but the Niners clearly thought the two-time All-Pro was more valuable to their roster than the pick. Kittle signed a new four-year extension shortly before the draft and is now under contract through the 2029 season. Fresh off a 2024 campaign in which he caught 78 passes for 1,106 yards and 8 touchdowns while averaging an impressive 14.2 YPR, it’s safe to say he remains one of the league’s most efficient pass-catching tight ends. There’s a good chance he will also see an expanded role in 2025 with Deebo Samuel now in Washington, which could have big implications for the upcoming fantasy season.