The San Francisco 49ers signed a Pro Bowl tight end today. It wasn't the tight end everyone has been awaiting news about, though. The team signed veteran Jordan Reed to a one-year deal and continues to work toward a contract extension with the All-Pro tight end it drafted in 2017 — George Kittle.
General manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with reporters this afternoon via a Zoom conference call and were asked about the Kittle contract situation.
"We're working diligently," Lynch responded. "I can tell you that. I'm not going to get into the timeframe. We are working diligently to come to a resolution. I've been on record saying what George means to this place."
Added Lynch: "We always try to be respectful of the agent-player thing, but it's always nice to talk with the player, and I think there's a great understanding that we're in this thing together. We're partners to try to get something done because it makes too much sense [to do so]."
Lynch added that both he and Shanahan had an opportunity to visit with Kittle today. It was an excellent opportunity to speak face-to-face with their tight end for the first time this offseason.
"We don't have to say how important George is to us, and not only [him] being the best tight end, to me, in the league but also the type of person he is," Shanahan said. "We're doing everything we can to get that done. I do feel good about it. It was great to see George today for the first time.
"I know you open camp on the 28th but (with) all the COVID testing and stuff, today was actually the first day we were able to see all the vets and everybody ... It was great to see George again today, and no one's changed, and I feel really good about this going forward, and I feel very optimistic about it. So hopefully something will happen sooner than later. I'm not too concerned about it, though."