SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers front office struck just before the restricted free agency deadline. General Manager John Lynch locked down tight end Jake Tonges with a two-year, $8 million deal that includes $5.5 million in guaranteed money. This San Francisco 49ers Jake Tonges contract prevents the breakout pass-catcher from hitting the open market. The move brings critical stability to the offense while All-Pro George Kittle rehabs his torn Achilles tendon. You could feel the collective sigh of relief from the Faithful; losing Tonges simply was not an option after his explosive 2025 campaign.
From Undrafted to Unexpendable
Tonges entered last season as an afterthought. He logged just 50 offensive snaps and zero catches across prior stints in Chicago. Then Kittle went down. Head coach Kyle Shanahan plugged the former Cal Golden Bear into the starting lineup, and Tonges responded immediately. He hauled in the game-winning touchdown pass during a tense Week 1 road victory over Seattle, silencing Lumen Field in an instant.
He finished 2025 with 34 receptions for 293 yards and five touchdowns. Tonges essentially went from practice squad hopeful to the ultimate safety blanket for Brock Purdy. The grit he brought to the field inspired the locker room. Taking a chance on an undrafted player is a gamble, but Tonges proved he belongs in the NFL.
San Francisco kept busy beyond the tight end room. The front office tendered restricted free agent defensive lineman Sam Okuayinonu a one-year, $3.546 million contract, retaining the right of first refusal. Okuayinonu earned that payday by recording 39 tackles and three sacks in 15 games. Running back Patrick Taylor also returns following a shoulder injury that completely erased his 2025 season. Meanwhile, defensive end Robert Beal and defensive tackle Kalia Davis hit the open market untendered.
The 49ers also fortified the trenches and special teams by agreeing to one-year terms with offensive lineman Brett Toth and linebacker Garret Wallow.
“Jake stepped up when our backs were against the wall last year. He caught that dagger in Seattle and never looked back. We need that kind of fire in this building while George gets right.”
— Kyle Shanahan, Head Coach
Playoff Implications / What’s Next
Securing Tonges gives Shanahan massive breathing room for 2026. Kittle turns 33 this year, and Achilles recoveries rarely follow a strict timeline. If Kittle misses the early slate of the season, Tonges steps right back into the TE1 role without missing a beat. Defenses must respect his red-zone production, which prevents teams from stacking the box against Christian McCaffrey.
Expect the 49ers to still target a run-blocking tight end in the upcoming NFL Draft to complement Tonges’s receiving skills. The NFC West remains an absolute bloodbath. Keeping reliable depth pieces intact keeps San Francisco’s championship window wide open.
