George Kittle, the star tight end for the San Francisco 49ers, is leading a charge to elevate the earning potential for his position in the NFL. His recent record-breaking contract extension has set a new benchmark, but Kittle believes it’s just the beginning.
Want to know what people are really saying? Don’t miss the buzz from Reddit at the end!
Tight End U: Pushing the Market Forward
As one of the founders of Tight End University, an offseason training program for NFL tight ends, Kittle is on a mission to showcase the value of his position. ‘When Tight End U started, I think the top of the market was 15 (million dollars), and now we’re almost at 20,’ he said. ‘So we’re continually growing it. As a tight end and as a position who does everything, yeah, I think we should be making more money, but we’re working on it.’ Kittle’s four-year, $76.4 million extension with $40 million guaranteed surpassed Trey McBride’s $19 million per year deal with the Arizona Cardinals, making him the highest-paid tight end in the league. However, Kittle doesn’t want his contract to be the ceiling. ‘The only way for the tight end market to continue to grow is if everybody’s getting paid,’ he emphasized. ‘That’s the only way to do it. You can’t just have one guy do it and then it just sits for four years because then you’re stuck and it’s stagnant and no one’s getting paid.’
The Next Wave: Rising Stars Eyeing Lucrative Deals
Kittle’s trailblazing contract has paved the way for a new generation of tight ends to command top dollar. McBride, along with Travis Kelce, joined Kittle as one of the prolific tight ends to get paid recently. In the coming seasons, players like Sam LaPorta, Kyle Pitts, and eventually Brock Bowers will be in line for lucrative contracts. There are also several young tight ends with upside, including Dalton Kincaid, Tucker Kraft, and Isaiah Likely, who could potentially push past Kittle’s contract if they perform well. The tight end position is no longer an afterthought in the NFL’s offensive schemes, and these rising stars are poised to capitalize on their increasing importance.
Bargain Hunting: Tight Ends as Value Plays Amid WR Spending Spree
While the wide receiver market has exploded, with 21 players owning contracts worth $20 million per year or more, the tight end position has not followed suit. This disparity presents an opportunity for teams to find value at the tight end position. Given their importance to both the run and passing game, teams could potentially get more bang for their buck by investing in top-tier tight ends rather than breaking the bank for elite wide receivers. As wide receiver contracts become increasingly expensive, savvy teams may turn to tight ends as a more cost-effective way to bolster their offensive firepower.
Redefining Value: Why Tight Ends Deserve Top Dollar
Kittle and his fellow tight ends are making a compelling case for their position to be valued on par with wide receivers. Tight ends are often tasked with blocking duties in addition to their receiving responsibilities, making them true dual-threat players. Their ability to create mismatches against linebackers and safeties in the passing game, while also serving as effective run blockers, adds a unique dimension to offenses. As the NFL continues to evolve into a more pass-happy league, the versatility and production of top tight ends like Kittle, Kelce, and others have become invaluable assets. By pushing the market forward, they are not only securing their own financial futures but also redefining the value of their position in the modern NFL landscape.
What People Are Saying About the Tight End Revolution
The comments on this topic highlight a growing consensus that top-tier tight ends deserve to be compensated at a level commensurate with their immense value to offenses. As u/ACEPACEACE succinctly put it, ‘a true #1 TE should be getting paid more than a #2 WR.’ The versatility and impact of elite tight ends like George Kittle and Travis Kelce, who excel as both receivers and blockers, is undeniable. As u/roachsmoke noted, ‘Pass blocking, run blocking, catching, hell when Gronk played, the Patriots would put him at Safety sometimes.’ With the wide receiver market exploding, there is a clear sense that the tight end position has been undervalued and deserves to be elevated financially.
The comments also highlight the disparity between the compensation for elite tight ends and wide receivers. As u/ExpectedOutcome2 pointed out, ‘When Christian Kirk makes more than Travis Kelce and George Kittle the market is messed up.’ This sentiment underscores the need for tight ends to continue pushing the market forward, as Kittle and others have been advocating. However, as u/azure275 noted, ‘The problem with TEs is that once you get past the top 5ish the value above average falls off hard.’ This suggests that while the top tight ends deserve to be paid handsomely, the overall value of the position may create challenges in elevating the market across the board.
The comments also touched on the nuances of the tight end market, with u/MankuyRLaffy noting that ‘Kelce took less than he’s worth intentionally to help the team win Lombardi trophies, he’s said as such iirc.’ This suggests that while the top tight ends may be underpaid relative to their value, some players may be willing to accept team-friendly deals to prioritize winning championships over maximizing their individual earnings. As the tight end revolution continues to unfold, it will be interesting to see how players, teams, and the league balance these competing factors in the years to come.