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Tight end George Kittle was not in attendance Tuesday for the start of Phase One of the San Francisco 49ers offseason program. It's noteworthy, but it's not a big deal just yet.
A key reason the absence is notable is that Kittle and the 49ers are in the midst of discussions on a contract extension for the First-Team All-Pro. The 2017 fifth-round pick is entering the final year of the extension he signed ahead of the 2020 season. Perhaps this is the start of contract spat that ends in a holdout for the mandatory portions of the offseason. The first mandatory sessions for San Francisco are June 10-11 with mandatory minicamp.
However, general manager John Lynch on Tuesday in a press conference provided some optimism that extension talks haven't gone sour with Kittle.
"We've had good communication," Lynch said via ESPN's Nick Wagoner. "Good talks and we'll see where that goes."
Lynch also said he was unsure whether Kittle would report for the 11-on-11 portion of the offseason program.
This all tracks as a veteran player skipping the early parts of the offseason workout. Ideally he'd be in attendance as a team leader entering an offseason where everyone being on the same page will be essential.
There's a chance it grows into something more down the road. Whether this is a volley in a prolonged contract negotiation or a veteran just delaying his arrival remains to be seen. For now it's not much, but it's worth keeping a close eye on Kittle's attendance at Phases Two and Three of the offseason.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers TE George Kittle's absence from OTAs isn't a major deal yet
Continue reading...
A key reason the absence is notable is that Kittle and the 49ers are in the midst of discussions on a contract extension for the First-Team All-Pro. The 2017 fifth-round pick is entering the final year of the extension he signed ahead of the 2020 season. Perhaps this is the start of contract spat that ends in a holdout for the mandatory portions of the offseason. The first mandatory sessions for San Francisco are June 10-11 with mandatory minicamp.
However, general manager John Lynch on Tuesday in a press conference provided some optimism that extension talks haven't gone sour with Kittle.
"We've had good communication," Lynch said via ESPN's Nick Wagoner. "Good talks and we'll see where that goes."
Lynch also said he was unsure whether Kittle would report for the 11-on-11 portion of the offseason program.
This all tracks as a veteran player skipping the early parts of the offseason workout. Ideally he'd be in attendance as a team leader entering an offseason where everyone being on the same page will be essential.
There's a chance it grows into something more down the road. Whether this is a volley in a prolonged contract negotiation or a veteran just delaying his arrival remains to be seen. For now it's not much, but it's worth keeping a close eye on Kittle's attendance at Phases Two and Three of the offseason.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers TE George Kittle's absence from OTAs isn't a major deal yet
Continue reading...
