The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported that, according to sources, tight end George Kittle's absence from the start of the San Francisco 49ers' offseason program is contract-related.

After a rough down year for the San Francisco 49ers last season, Kyle Shanahan's bunch is (understandably) looking for a major rebound to contention this fall. Such a rebound will likely require everyone in the 49ers' core to be on the same page and working as one.

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle pushed back against a rumor about his current contract demands. The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported Wednesday that Kittle "wants to become the NFL’s highest-paid tight end." She added that he and the Niners "remain apart" in negotiations.