2022 biggest NFL contracts by position and highest-paid players

Biggest NFL contracts at the tight end position

Total money: George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers (5 years, $75 million)

Average annual value: George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers ($15M per year)

Highest guarantee: George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers ($40M guaranteed)

The San Francisco 49ers made sure there was no question about the way they feel about George Kittle when they not only made him the highest-paid tight end in NFL history, but they gave him a contract that set a very high bar for other players.

This deal, signed in 2020, has yet to be topped depite multiple consecutive years of very good free agent tight end classes as well as a variety of tight ends around the league getting new deals.

It’s almost as though teams are approaching their tight ends and letting them know — we love you, but you’re no George Kittle.

Kittle is getting paid money that would have looked really good compared to wide receivers in recent years, but other players at receiver have now totally diminished this figure.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if the 49ers and Kittle negotiate an updated contract after the 2022 season.