49ers TE George Kittle set to make $19.1M per year: How much is Travis Kelce earning with Chiefs?

George Kittle is one of the key weapons in the San Francisco 49ers and has agreed to a significant contract extension for the 2025 NFL season. The impact of the deal immediately sparked comparisons with another star tight end of the league, such as Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs.

According to the latest news, Kittle signed a four-year, $76.4 million contract extension with the 49ers, as he revealed on the Bussin’ With the Boys podcast. San Francisco is looking to move on from a disappointing 2024 season in which they failed to make the playoffs.

The contract guarantees $40 million and is expected to significantly reduce Kittle’s original 2025 salary cap charge of $22,085,000. That figure would have been nearly $10 million higher than any of his past cap hits.

How much does Kittle earn compared to Travis Kelce?

While Kittle agreed to a deal worth around $19.1 million per year, this puts him above star Travis Kelce. The Chiefs tight end signed a two-year, $34.25 million contract extension in April 2024. For the 2025 season, he will have a base salary of $4.5 million, a $12.5 million roster bonus, and a $250,000 workout bonus — totaling $17.25 million.

Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on prior to the AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on January 28, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland.

Why is Kittle’s contract extension considered a landmark deal?

Kittle’s contract extension with the 49ers not only puts him ahead of Kelce, but also elevates him several tiers above the rest of the league’s players at his position. The total value and average per year are the highest of any tight end. His deal could be compared to the recent extension signed by Trey McBride with the Arizona Cardinals.

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Kittle’s impact on the 49ers

Kittle is a guarantee of offensive power for the next season. The 31-year-old tight end became one of five tight ends in league history to have four or more 1,000-yard receiving seasons, alongside Kelce (seven), Rob Gronkowski, Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten (four each).