Why Did the 49ers Shock Fans by Rejecting a Game-Changing Draft Day Deal?

If you thought the Super Bowl hangover was just a myth concocted by midnight sports talk radio, just ask the San Francisco 49ers how brutal the aftermath can get. The 2024 season left their fans feeling like they’d forgotten their keys at home—frustrated, helpless, and staring at a long road ahead. And as if that wasn’t enough, the offseason saw the Niners parting ways with key players like they were cleaning out the garage before a move. But here’s the kicker: right before the 2025 NFL Draft, San Francisco turned down a shiny second-round pick for none other than George Kittle, the guy who’s been their silver lining in a stormy sky. Why would they pass up that kind of trade bait? Maybe because when chips are down, clinging to a true star isn’t just smart, it’s survival. Let’s dive into why Kittle’s staying put might just be the sanity the 49ers—and their fans—desperately need.

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.

The post 49ers Reportedly Turned Down Blockbuster Draft Day Trade appeared first on The Cold Wire.