Moments after the disastrous 2024 season concluded, at least two San Francisco 49ers faced the uncertainty of the 2025 offseason. Even for tight end George Kittle and fullback Kyle Juszczyk, who were both stalwarts of the Kyle Shanahan-John Lynch era, it’s difficult to tell what an offseason full of transition will bring.
But for Kittle and Juszczyk, close friends, key cogs in Shanahan’s offense for the past eight seasons, and each entering the final year of his contract, the goal is clear: they want to stay in San Francisco, carve out a coveted spot on the team’s 10-year wall, and finally help the Niners win their sixth Lombardi Trophy. “My goal is to wear the red and gold my entire career,” Kittle told ESPN following Sunday’s 47-24 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
Juszczyk had a similar view, noting that the 49ers would face some difficult decisions this offseason, including a possibly lucrative contract deal for quarterback Brock Purdy. “There hasn’t been any discussion yet, but I am aware of the kind of situation that we have,” Juszczyk told reporters. “There’s a lot of uncertainty about who will be here and who will not, and there are some contracts that need to be worked out. So I am aware of that. I’m just hoping it doesn’t damage me.”
Contract extensions for both players — which might reduce their 2025 salary cap numbers — are not out of the question, particularly for Kittle. He is approaching the final year of a five-year, $75 million contract deal he signed in 2020. That deal has been restructured several times for cost savings, but he’s set to count $22,085,000 against next year’s cap, which would be somewhat more than his previous biggest cap hit of $10 million. His pact also has vacant years through 2028, totaling a $13,625,000 cap hit in 2026 when the contract expires.
Kittle, 31, is coming off one of his most productive seasons. He finished third among tight ends in receiving yards (1,106), tied for second in touchdowns (8), and led in yards per reception (14.2). Kittle is one of only five tight ends in league history to have four or more 1,000-yard receiving seasons, joining Travis Kelce (seven), Rob Gronkowski, Tony Gonzalez, and Jason Witten.
Kittle also passed Gronkowski for the second-most receiving yards by a tight end in his first eight seasons in the NFL, trailing only Kelce (7,380). Kittle was selected to his sixth Pro Bowl last week and is expected to be named first- or second-team All-Pro for the fifth time in his career when those awards are revealed this week.
All of this means Kittle is a vital figure for the 6-11 Niners as they look to get back on track in 2025 after reaching the NFC Championship Game in four of the previous five seasons. “Whatever the front office wants to do, I’m all ears,” Kittle admitted.
Juszczyk is also coming off a Pro Bowl campaign. This season, Juszczyk earned his seventh Pro Bowl selection, the most by a fullback. He accepted a pay cut last offseason to stay in San Francisco, but he is still set to contribute $6,496,750 against next year’s cap, which is a high sum for a fullback. He also has empty years on that deal until 2028, which would cost an additional $1,674,000 against the limit in 2026, when his current contract expires. Juszczyk stated Sunday that he was aware that the loss to Arizona could be his final game with the organization.
“I really, really hope not,” Juszczyk replied. “We will find out, but I know I am not done. I’m absolutely not finished playing. I’ve noticed no regression. I believe, especially, that you can turn on the last two games and show me where I’ve retreated, therefore I have no intention of stopping.” Indeed, Juszczyk, 33, announced this week that he plans to continue playing in 2025.
He was one of Shanahan and Lynch’s first free agent signings when they took over in 2017, and he has been a versatile member of the 49ers’ attack, lining up all over the field despite being designated as a fullback.
Juszczyk, like Kittle, feels like he has unfinished business with the 49ers after coming so close to winning the Super Bowl twice. “I want to win a ring,” Juszczyk explained. “I’m looking to win a ring here. But, again, if I’m forced to do it somewhere else, I still have a lot of football left in me. I still love the game a lot. I’m still playing at a high level, and I know there are clubs out there who could use my skills.”
Juszczyk and Kittle, who wore jackets sewn by Juszczyk’s wife to Sunday’s game, are hoping to join San Francisco’s 10-year club. It celebrates athletes who have spent at least ten consecutive seasons in San Francisco. Since the team’s establishment in 1946, 51 players have won a slot; however, no one has been added since Joe Staley in 2017.
“The 10-year wall is a huge goal of mine,” Kittle remarked. “This is a huge ambition of mine. Just myself and Juszczyk. “Yes, that is the goal.” The Niners are expecting that rookie running back Isaac Guerendo will be available for the start of 2025. On Sunday’s fourth offensive snap, he injured his left knee and was carted to the locker room. Shanahan said the first diagnosis is an MCL damage, but Guerendo will have more testing Monday to see if he avoided a longer-term ACL problem.
“You want to think best-case scenario,” Guerendo advised. “However, the MRI will provide us with the necessary information. I’m just praying for the best-case situation.”
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