The San Francisco 49ers, without a doubt, had one of the most disappointing seasons in the NFL last year. After appearing in (and losing) Super Bowl LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs, many believed the 49ers would be one of the NFC team’s competing for the title again in 2024.
That, of course, did not happen. A plethora of injuries on both sides of the ball exposed San Francisco’s glaring lack of depth at multiple positions. Without these key players, such as wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who signed a massive $120 million contract extension after months of drama and a holdout, the 49ers finished the year 6-11, last place in the NFC West.
The hope, of course, is that getting their team healthy will help San Francisco return to the NFL Playoffs. However, looming contract extension decisions, as well as the questionable negotiations surrounding them, yet again are making the 49ers the topic of unfortunate headlines this offseason.
The San Francisco 49ers Could See George Kittle, Brock Purdy, and Fred Warner Skip Voluntary Team Workouts
While the 49ers have seen several of their key contributors from the past few seasons be released or leave in free agency this offseason, they are trying to work out contract extensions with a select few others. The problem, however, is that negotiations over these extensions are non-existent or are not going well.
In fact, three San Francisco stars, quarterback Brock Purdy, tight end George Kittle, and linebacker Fred Warner may be skipping the team’s voluntary workouts after the draft because none of them have new deals in place.
Brock Purdy
Of the 49ers quarterback, team insider Michael Silver wrote, “There has been some progress toward a multi-year extension for Purdy that will likely pay him more than $50 million a year. The question is, how much progress? If Purdy shows up on Tuesday, it’s a sign that he and his agent believe they are very close to striking a deal. If he doesn’t, that probably indicates that some significant obstacles remain. As of now, no decision has been made.”
Fred Warner
Silver was a bit more optimistic about Warner, writing, “Warner and the 49ers have yet to have any substantive talks about a possible extension, but the veteran team leader is likely to report.”
George Kittle
Whereas there seems to be some optimism regarding Purdy and Warner, there are not high hopes regarding Kittle’s extension: “Kittle, heading into the final year of a five-year, $75-million deal, is much more of a longshot, as he and the 49ers remain far apart in discussions about a new deal.”
And so, it is another year, but several more contract negotiations that seem to be going South. One has to wonder what exactly San Francisco’s front office is doing, or why they are choosing not to do anything in some cases, regarding these negotiations.
