Once an iffy NFL prospect, 49ers' George Kittle now the highest-paid tight end in league history

The last big piece of contractual business the San Francisco 49ers wanted to accomplish this offseason has been settled as the team has agreed to a five-year, $75 million deal with George Kittle, making him the highest-paid tight end by far in league history. Kittle will get $30 million guaranteed at signing and $40 million total guaranteed overall ($20 million more than any tight end ever).

Either Kittle or Kansas City's Travis Kelce is the NFL's best tight end. Kelce probably will look for a renegotiation in the wake of Kittle's deal as Kelce is in the second-to-last season of his five-year, $47 million contract with the Chiefs. Kittle had 85 catches for 1,053 yards and five scores last year despite missing two games.

Since entering the league in 2017, Kittle has 2,945 receiving yards, the most by a tight end during his first three seasons in NFL history. He has the most catches by a tight end through three seasons (219) and the most receiving yards in a single season by a tight end ever with 1,377 in 2018. Kittle has made the Pro Bowl each of the past two seasons and was first-team All-Pro last year.

Kelce had 97 catches for 1,229 yards (his tight end record fourth straight 1,000-yard season) and five scores last year, although to be fair he plays in a much more pass-happy offense than Kittle does. Kittle is a MUCH better blocker than Kelce is. Consider this: Last year, the Niners averaged 2.63 yards per carry in the two games Kittle missed with no rushing scores. In the 14 he played, they averaged 4.83 yards per carry with 23 TDs.

At William Hill sportsbook, Kittle is +3300 on the moneyline odds to lead the NFL in receiving yards in 2020 and +2500 to lead in receiving TDs.

The other 31 teams in the NFL have to be kicking themselves for passing on Kittle multiple times in the 2017 draft as he was the 146th overall pick out of Iowa. The Chicago Bears have to really be kicking themselves. GM Ryan Pace reached for unknown tight end Adam Shaheen out of little Ashland University of Division II at No. 45 overall. Shaheen was a mega-bust and already is gone.

The Los Angeles Chargers' Hunter Henry was to make the most of any tight end this year as he will earn $10,607 million playing on the franchise tag. With Kittle off the market, Henry will be the top free-agent tight end next offseason barring re-singing with the Bolts.

San Francisco opens the season at home vs. Arizona as a 7.5-point favorite on the NFL odds. 

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