The San Francisco 49ers have begun their offseason program. One of two key players currently in negotiations was present – the other was absent.

The San Francisco 49ers are facing an important phase in the NFL. New contracts are currently being negotiated with two key players.

The 49ers’ offseason workouts began on Tuesday. Quarterback Brock Purdy was on the field, but tight end George Kittle was absent. Both are currently in contract negotiations with the franchise.

The 31-year-old Kittle is entering the final year of his contract in California in 2025, and there have been reports of difficulties in contract negotiations ahead of the Niners’ preseason opener.

49ers: Will they reach a late agreement with Kittle again?

His current contract is worth $14.4 million, but none of that is guaranteed. When he last extended his contract in 2020, negotiations dragged on until August.

It seems that the tight end is once again dragging his feet until a new contract is agreed upon. At least, that’s how experts are interpreting his absence in the current season.

The experienced NFL player has now put a stop to these speculations himself. On “X,” he responded to a post about him with: “Your sources are wrong.”

This was a direct response to a statement by reporter Dianna Russini, who claimed in a photo post that his “absence is related to his contract.”

At the same time, he also rejected another report that he wanted to become the highest-paid tight end.

He simply wrote “Your report is wrong” in response to the post on the “NFL Rumors” account.

Brock Purdy’s appearance at 49ers OTAs is a positive sign as extension talks continue between San Francisco and its QB.

George Kittle’s absence is also contract related, sources say.

And the two sides remain far apart.https://t.co/EdbvDfHkRx pic.twitter.com/Husmc2h9yD

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) April 23, 2025

However, it remains speculation as to how far the parties have actually progressed in the negotiations. It seems, however, that Kittle wanted to show with his statement that they are well on the way to reaching an agreement.

Brock Purdy: Significant pay rise for the quarterback

Quarterback Purdy, who was dubbed “Mr. Irrelevant” in the 2022 draft, has been playing in the NFL for a pittance. His four-year contract is worth just $3.73 million.

However, his presence at the voluntary first training session is a sign of good contract negotiations between the 25-year-old and the 49ers.

According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, negotiations are well advanced and the quarterback is set to sign a contract worth around $50 million a year.

49ers QB Brock Purdy, who has been discussing a new deal with San Francisco, is in attendance today for the start of the team’s off-season workout program. Some thought Purdy might have stayed away without a new deal, but that’s not the route Purdy chose. pic.twitter.com/uKiEJISTw0

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 22, 2025