The San Francisco 49ers believe George Kittle is the future at tight end and, by trading Vance McDonald, have decided the future is now.
Vance McDonald is no longer a member of the San Francisco 49ers after he was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a move that signals the team is ready to put faith in their young talent at the position. San Francisco received a fourth-round pick from Pittsburgh in exchange for McDonald and a fifth-round pick, made official by the team.
The Niners will have to absorb the accelerated portion of McDonald’s signing bonus on this year’s cap, according to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner. However, the trade sees them get rid of a three-year, $19 million contract (figures per NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco) agreed to by the old regime back in December for a player who has never lived up to his potential.
McDonald, despite possessing obvious athleticism, has struggled with both injuries and drops throughout his career and leaves the 49ers with just 64 receptions, 866 yards and seven touchdowns.
Vance McDonald had the worst drop rate among qualifying TEs over his four-year career. #49ers pic.twitter.com/O8NRma6ZPk
— Jeff Deeney (jeffdeeney on Threads) (@PFF_Jeff) August 29, 2017
Though the Niners will be thrilled to have got McDonald’s off the books, the main significance of this trade is that it all but guarantees rookie George Kittle will have a significant role in the offense. The 49ers picked Kittle in the fifth round in 2017, which seemed something of a steal for a player who scored 10 touchdowns in his last two seasons at Iowa, averaging over 14 yards a catch.
Since being drafted, Kittle has looked like even more of a value pick, starring in OTAs and minicamp. Then, after being limited by a hamstring injury in training camp, making an instant impact on his preseason debut by rumbling down the sideline for a 29-yard score off a pass from fellow former Hawkeye C.J. Beathard.
With McDonald’s exit, Kittle now figures to be the main receiving threat at tight end with free-agent acquisition Logan Paulsen, largely brought in because of his abilities as a blocker.
Garrett Celek would on the surface appear to be a beneficiary of this trade, but CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora has reported the 49ers could also be open to trading him. Such a move would likely put undrafted free agent Cole Hikutini in line for a roster spot.
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Even if a deal to part ways with Celek does not come to pass, it is clear Kittle will be the focal point at tight end. Though fullback Kyle Juszczyk is likely to see plenty of snaps lined up as a tight end, the 49ers have decided Kittle is the future and that — despite the history of rookies struggling at the position — the future is now.