Avoiding a protracted holdout with tight end George Kittle assures a young 49ers roster won’t be deprived of his example.

The $19.1 million average annual value tops the previous record for a tight end of $19 million set earlier this offseason when Trey McBride resigned with Arizona.

George Kittle agreed to a four-year contract extension with the San Francisco 49ers that will make him the highest-paid tight end in NFL history.