George Kittle sits out, Brock Purdy and Fred Warner attend 49ers offseason program amid contract talks

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By Dianna Russini, Michael Silver, Matt Barrows and Cale Clinton

As the San Francisco 49ers report to their voluntary offseason workout programs, all eyes will be on the attendance of some of the current faces of the franchise. Entering the 49ers’ 2025 offseason program, there was some uncertainty as to whether three of the team’s biggest names — quarterback Brock Purdy, tight end George Kittle and linebacker Fred Warner — will attend the voluntary program as they all seek new contracts.

Kittle has reportedly not shown up to the first day of voluntary workouts. The 31-year-old tight end is entering the final year of his five-year, $75 million contract, coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and a team-leading 1,106 yards in 2024, third-most among all tight ends in the league. According to The Athletic’s Michael Silver, the two sides remain far apart in a new deal.

Purdy, meanwhile, is in attendance for the program’s start on Tuesday. His presence is a good sign for where he and the team stand on contract discussions. Purdy and his team are working toward a multi-year extension as the former last pick of the 2022 NFL Draft enters the final year of his rookie contract.

With Brock Purdy showing up to the start of 49ers OTAs Tuesday, contract talks between San Francisco and its QB are in a good place.

As @MikeSilver noted yesterday, Purdy’s attendance signals that a deal isn’t done, but talks are moving in a positive direction. pic.twitter.com/ET4eQJRs0K

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) April 22, 2025

Purdy’s career was kick-started by a heroic run in 2022, where he was thrust into a starting role as the team’s third-stringer toward the end of the season. He went on to win his first NFL appearance, then win five straight regular-season games and two additional playoff appearances before being injured in the first quarter of the NFC Championship. The following season, Purdy threw for 4,280 yards, 31 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, leading the league in yards per attempt (9.6), touchdown rate (7.0 percent) and passer rating (113.0) en route to a Super Bowl berth.

2024 saw Purdy take a step back amid a series of injuries to both himself and his teammates. The Iowa State quarterback missed two games with separate shoulder and elbow injuries in the second half of the season, posting career lows in completion percentage (65.9 percent), touchdown rate (4.4 percent) and passer rating (96.1) while throwing a career-high 12 interceptions.

Warner is also in the building for the start of voluntary workouts. However, the 49ers have yet to hold substantive talks about a possible extension with the four-time All-Pro linebacker. Warner, 29, signed a five-year, $95 million extension with San Francisco in 2021 that runs through the end of the 2026 season. The deal has only been eclipsed by the Ravens’ five-year, $100 million extension of Roquan Smith, resetting the market for off-ball linebackers. Since being drafted by the 49ers in 2018, Warner has led the team in tackles every season in the NFL.

Good signs for Purdy’s pending extension

Purdy’s contract is by no means complete, but his appearance at the start of the offseason can be seen as an indication that talks are going in the right direction. Back in January, Purdy cited Tuesday — the start of the offseason program — as the point by which he wanted to get a deal finalized.

“I want to get it done quick,” he said. “Just so we can get back for Phase 1, get after it with our receivers and our team. I’m not the kind of guy that wants to have any kind of drama associated with anything.”

The first two weeks of the program are limited to meetings, strength and conditioning and rehabilitation. After that, Purdy can begin throwing to his receivers, and by the end of May, the entire team — or rather those attending the voluntary sessions — can hit the field for OTA practices. Purdy wants to be on hand for all the offseason because he wants to be a leader on the team and continue to build a rapport with young pass catchers like Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing. The 49ers need him there because they want to build the sort of momentum in the spring that was missing last year when Brandon Aiyuk, Trent Williams and others were awaiting new deals. – Matt Barrows, 49ers beat writer

No need to panic over Kittle this early

Kittle’s absence isn’t a big deal — yet — because there aren’t any on-field activities until next month. Even last year, he and a number of other veterans weren’t full participants in the OTA practices due to the 49ers’ long march through the playoffs in 2023.

But even though Kittle didn’t practice, the always-animated tight end was visible — and audible — on the sidelines, cheering on the offense and coaching up the young players. That’s what the 49ers would miss if there’s an extended absence. He’s one of the two most vocal team leaders on the roster and an unofficial spokesman for the 49ers players.

It’s notable that the other player in that category, linebacker Fred Warner, also is believed to be seeking a contract extension and was in the building on Tuesday morning. Warner was also on hand when draft prospects visited Santa Clara, Calif. last week and took pictures next to several would-be 49ers rookies, including Ole Miss linebacker Chris Paul, Jr. – Barrows

(Photo: Steph Chambers / Getty Images)

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