The San Francisco 49ers kicked off Phase 1 of their voluntary offseason workout program this week, and while one franchise cornerstone made his presence felt, another opted to stay away, at least for now.
Quarterback Brock Purdy reported to the team facility despite being in the middle of contract negotiations, while tight end George Kittle, also in talks for a new deal, was not in attendance.
Brock Purdy sets tone at 49ers OTAs
Though the early phase of offseason activities is non-mandatory and primarily centered on meetings, conditioning, and physical rehab, attendance, or lack thereof, has become a topic of intrigue.
Both Purdy and Kittle are entering the final year of their contracts, and while extension discussions are underway for each, their contrasting approaches speak volumes about timing, leverage, and negotiation strategy.
Purdy’s decision to show up, even as his agent works toward what is expected to be a significant payday, sends a strong message.
According to reports, he and the 49ers are “inching closer” to a long-term extension that could place him among the league’s top 10 highest-paid players by average annual salary.
That would mark a remarkable rise for the former Mr. Irrelevant, who has vastly outperformed his rookie deal.
“That’s Brock,” said 49ers general manager John Lynch.
“He’s a pro. Brock’s very clear-minded and not going to let other people influence what he should be doing. And that’s one thing everybody I think respects about Brock. He’s done a lot for this organization and we’re grateful for him and looking forward to having him as our quarterback for a long time.”
Kittle’s absence, on the other hand, adds a layer of uncertainty.
The 31-year-old tight end is entering the final season of the five-year, $75 million deal he signed in 2020.
With Trey McBride of the Cardinals recently resetting the tight end market at $19 million annually, Kittle’s $15 million average now seems under market value, especially coming off his fifth All-Pro season.
While not uncommon for veterans to skip the early stages of voluntary workouts, the stakes are high for Kittle, who may be eyeing one final major contract before the back end of his career.
Lynch acknowledged the situation but didn’t offer much clarity.
“We’ll see,” he said when asked if he expects Kittle to join the program.
“We’ve had good communication. Good talks and we’ll see where that goes.”
Both players remain central to San Francisco’s success.
Purdy, who threw for 3,864 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in 2024, has earned a significant raise from the $3.74 million rookie deal he signed in 2022.
Kittle remains a dominant force on offense, both as a pass-catcher and a blocker.
Until deals are finalized, their contract status will continue to loom over the 49ers’ offseason.
But as things stand, Purdy’s decision to report could reflect confidence in the direction of negotiations, or simply his desire to lead by example.
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