The San Francisco 49ers had a brutal 2024 season as the latest victim of a Super Bowl hangover, and the pain worsened this offseason as they lost one key player after another through trades or as free agents.

The 49ers and their fans are hoping to turn the page, and the picks the Niners made in the 2025 NFL Draft should help.

San Francisco didn’t do anything shocking during the draft, but Diana Russini of The Athletic recently shared that prior to it, the Niners received a blockbuster trade offer that they declined.

“The 49ers turned down an offer of a second-round pick in exchange for All-Pro tight end George Kittle before the draft, extending him days later,” The Athletic wrote on X.

The 49ers turned down an offer of a second-round pick in exchange for All-Pro tight end George Kittle before the draft, extending him days later, @DMRussini reports. pic.twitter.com/TpbVQLPEJv

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) May 2, 2025

Co-host Chase Daniel asked why the Niners would turn down a second-round pick for a 31-year-old tight end, which would be a strong return on investment, and Russini said she didn’t believe the Niners ever intended to move on from Kittle.

That was proven when he signed a contract extension that made him the highest-paid tight end in NFL history, and after trading wide receiver Deebo Samuel earlier this offseason, the 49ers couldn’t afford to lose the other biggest weapon in their passing game.

Kittle was one of the few constants for the San Francisco offense last season as Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and Christian McCaffrey all were sidelined by injuries.

He posted 78 catches for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns in 15 games and likely will be the focal point of the passing game in 2025.

After the offseason they had, trading Kittle wouldn’t have gone over well, so it’s great that at least one of the team’s stars is staying put.

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