The San Francisco 49ers have some big offensive question marks this upcoming season. Trent Williams might be on his way out, Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings are likely gone, and George Kittle is coming off a playoff Achilles injury.
Mike Evans is a great addition for the 49ers, but the concern about Kittle is something very real for the 49ers. They need to make sure they have insurance in case he misses time, and what better way than to keep their 26-year-old TE?
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the 49ers are in agreement on a $8 million two-year contract with tight end Jake Tonges. He was a great fill-in for Kittle last year, and will reprise that insurance role in 2026 for the 49ers after this deal was agreed upon.
49ers re-sign Jake Tonges on $8M two-year deal
"The 49ers and TE Jake Tonges have agreed to a new deal just before the RFA tender deadline," Rapoport reports, "as he gets a 2-year contract for $8M with $5.5M guaranteed, per The Insiders."
With Kittle coming off a torn Achilles injury that he sustained in the NFC Wild Card round against the Philadelphia Eagles, the 49ers needed to make sure they had insurance in case he wasn't ready to begin the season.
Tonges, who filled in during 2025 in a similar role, was the best option for San Francisco to bring back this offseason.
More: Vederian Lowe to sign with 49ers on $12M max value deal
He's still 26 years old, and this past season, he had 293 receiving yards on 34 receptions with five touchdowns on 46 targets during the time Kittle was out at the beginning and end of the season.
In the playoffs, Tonges caught six of nine targets for 73 yards. While he didn't have a catch before 2025, it's hard to imagine the 49ers going without him in 2026, especially with the Kittle uncertainty.
This is a very smart move for the 49ers, as they are bringing back a key offensive piece for 2026 that should have a prominent role if Kittle remains on the sidelines to open the year.
More 49ers news: