As the San Francisco 49ers kick off their offseason program, eyes are on tight end George Kittle and linebacker Fred Warner. Their participation in the team’s voluntary workouts on Tuesday remains uncertain amidst ongoing contract discussions, as reported by Michael Silver of TheAthletic.com.
Kittle and Warner, key figures in the 49ers roster, are both seeking contract extensions. However, negotiations are proving to be challenging. According to Silver, discussions between the 49ers and Warner’s representatives have yet to take on a "substantive" tone, indicating a significant gap still needs to be bridged.
Warner, who signed a lucrative five-year, $95 million extension back in 2021, remains a crucial piece on defense, having earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors multiple times. Despite having two years left on his deal, his significant cap hit of $29.174 million in 2025 signals a financial puzzle the 49ers need to solve sooner rather than later.
Meanwhile, Kittle enters the final year of his five-year, $75-million contract. Both Kittle and the 49ers have voiced a mutual desire to reach a new agreement this offseason. However, with Kittle’s hefty cap number of $22.026 million looming in 2025 and the specter of $13.6 million in dead money due to void years in 2026, striking a new deal poses its own set of challenges.
As one of the league’s premier tight ends, highlighted by his consistent Pro Bowl appearances and first-team All-Pro honors in 2023, Kittle’s contribution to the team is undisputed. Yet, financial considerations inevitably add a layer of complexity to the negotiation process.
For the 49ers, balancing the books while securing top talent like Kittle and Warner remains a high-stakes game of strategy as the offseason unfolds.
