Unlike Bill O’Brien and the Houston Texans, 49ers general manager John Lynch has no interest in parting ways with his roster’s most prolific pass-catcher.
George Kittle is entering the final season of his rookie contract with the Niners, and while Deandre Hopkins was shipped to the Arizona Cardinals in a bizarre trade, Lynch says the All-Pro tight end won’t be going anywhere.
"So we're very interested," Lynch told 95.7 The Game. "George isn't going anywhere. We're going to work hard to try to get it done. I think they've got motivation just to really reset the tight end market, as do we, for him. It's just finding that sweet spot, where that is."
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Kittle firmly established himself as one of the NFL’s elite tight ends in his third season, catching over six passes a game and proving himself to arguably be the league’s best run blocker at the position.
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He is expected to be among the NFL’s highest-paid tight ends when his deal is complete, something Lynch said is on the horizon.
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"Like I said, he's not going to go anywhere," Lynch added. "When that happens? I don't know. But we're working hard, as are they, to try to make that happen. George is going to be a part of the 49ers for a long, long time."
Offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey and rookie sensation Nick Bosa also are in line for lucrative extensions in the coming years, but Kittle absolutely should be priority No. 1 for the front office.