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.

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.

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.