Rapoport on Kittle: My understanding is that they are not particularly close on a deal

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday morning that the San Francisco 49ers and star tight end George Kittle are “not particularly close” on a new deal. He said that there had been a proposal exchanged, and both sides have gone back and forth, and the negotiations are on-going. There is a positivity that a deal gets done, but both sides aren’t there yet, per Rapoport.

I wish I had new information on this, but I do not. These negotiations are fluid, and I wouldn’t be surprised if both sides are trying to hammer out the final details such as incentives, or what percentage of the money is given upfront and what percentage of the money will be ‘back loaded’ to protect the team in the short-term. Another day full of guessing games as we wait for Kittle to sign a new contract.

The players can’t technically use the facilities at Levi’s Stadium until Saturday, after they pass three tests, so I’d keep an eye on August, 1. Even then, the players won’t put on helmets until the following week. Rap Sheet said Kittle would report without a new deal. The question is, will he have to worry about that?