Shanahan “feels good” about getting deal done with George Kittle

When the player who led your offense in receiving yards for two consecutive seasons needs a contract, there’s a priority to get it done.

Both John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan know what they have in George Kittle, and have every intention of keeping him in the building for the long haul.

Shanahan and Lynch spoke to the media via video conference on Monday and expressed confidence that a deal would eventually be worked out with their First Team All-Pro tight end.

Veteran players reported to the facility on the 28th of July but because of COVID-19 testing protocols, August 3rd was the first time the three had a chance to chat in person.

“We are working diligently to come to a resolution,” Lynch said. “I’ve been been on record talking about what George means to this place. We’ve tried to be respectful of the agent-player thing, but it’s always nice just to talk to the player.

“I think there’s a great understanding that we’re in this thing together. We’re partners to try to get something done because it makes too much sense not to.”

Kittle has been an incredible value to the team as a fifth-round selection in the NFL 2017 draft. He has far out-played his six figure salary. 2020 will be the first season that Kittle will hit the seven figure range during his four-year rookie contract.

Shanahan, like Lynch, is predicting that the best tight end in the league will remain in Santa Clara for many seasons to come.

“We’re doing everything we can to get that done, I do feel good about it,” Shanahan said. “It was great to see George today for the first time. No one has changed and I feel really good about this going forward and feel very optimistic about it. Hopefully something will happen sooner than later. Not too concerned about it though.”

The 49ers know they will be resetting the tight end market with Kittle’s future contract.

Currently Chargers’ Hunter Henry leads the pack with a $10.6 million salary in 2020 under the franchise tag. Browns’ tight end Austin Hooper signed the biggest contract for the position with a four-year $42 million deal.

What Kittle brings to the team, not only on the field, but as a leader in the locker room, makes him invaluable. He spoke during the offseason about how being a team captain is a reason he would not hold out if a deal could not be brokered prior to the start of the season.

If the two parties cannot agree to terms, using the franchise tag could be a necessary option, but Shanahan remains confident that a deal will be inked.

To help with the negotiation process, the 49ers head coach has kept the lines of communication open with Kittle as well as all of his players. He wants his them to know that he is on their side, while obviously understanding salary cap restrictions.

“I’ve never met a coach who doesn’t want all their players to get paid as much as they can,” Shanahan said. “When you do have a relationship with people and they do know you as more than just a coach, or I know them as more than just a player, it’s a lot easier to have dialogue.”

“I do feel that I have been around the business for a while and I do think I understand the business pretty well. And I think the players respect how honest I am with them, so when they do want advice, or they want to understand a situation, I do think I can always help give them a perspective.”

Reportedly Kittle’s agent wants his client to be paid like a wide receiver because of his value to the 49ers offense. For perspective, Falcons’ Julio Jones just signed a mega-deal paying him a total of $66 million over three years. Bengals’ A.J. Green is scheduled to make $18.1 million in 2020.

Kittle’s future yearly income will likely fall somewhere below the top wide receiver mark but will need to be well over the height of the tight end salary to satisfy all involved parties. At least for now, it appears there is no reason to worry that it won’t get done.