SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The San Francisco 49ers and quarterback Brock Purdy do not yet have a long-term contract extension done. But that isn't keeping Purdy away from the team as it begins its offseason training program.
As the Niners report for the start of their offseason program Tuesday, Purdy is part of the group of players taking part in the voluntary activities, general manager John Lynch said at his predraft news conference Tuesday afternoon.
And while a new contract isn't yet in place, Lynch indicated that progress has been made.
"I think there's been some substantive talks that have this thing going in a good direction and I'll leave it at that," Lynch said.
Linebacker Fred Warner, who is still under contract for two more seasons but could also be due an extension, is also in attendance. So, too, is left tackle Trent Williams, who has been recovering from a season-ending foot/heel injury and is "doing really well," according to Lynch.
One Niner also seeking a new deal who is not at the team facility Tuesday is tight end George Kittle, who is entering the final year of the contract he signed in 2020.
While Kittle has told ESPN he would like to sign an extension that would allow him to retire as a Niner, it's not unusual for veterans such as him to miss this portion of the offseason program, especially since it is voluntary.
Lynch said it's too soon to know if Kittle will report when the Niners get into the more team-centric on-field work of OTAs.
"With that we've had good communication, good talks," Lynch said. "And we'll see where that goes."
The 49ers and Purdy, meanwhile, have been attempting to strike a deal for most of the offseason that will keep Purdy in place as the franchise quarterback for the long haul. Set to enter his fourth year in the league, this is the first time Purdy has been eligible for an extension.
After the season, Purdy indicated he would, ideally, like to have a deal done by the start of the offseason program. At the league meetings in Palm Beach last month, general manager John Lynch indicated that was at least a possibility.
"I don't think it's too optimistic [to get it done by then]," Lynch said then. "I think I understand why Brock wants that. We'd like that very much, so we've just got to find that right place for both sides, and I would love nothing more than for that to be the case."
While an accord hasn't yet materialized, Purdy's presence at the start of the voluntary portion of the offseason is, at least, an indication that negotiations haven't become acrimonious.
Purdy is slated to make $5 million in the final year of his rookie deal and is believed to be seeking a deal that could raise his annual salary to $50-plus million per season.
When asked after the season if he would consider holding out while waiting for a contract extension, Purdy said he didn't know what he would do but stressed that he wanted to be with the team when it reconvened.
Given that, Lynch was not surprised to see Purdy on Tuesday afternoon.
"That's Brock," Lynch said. "He's a pro. He's very clear-minded and not going to let other people influence what he should be doing. And that's one thing everybody I think respects about Brock. He's done a lot for this organization and we're grateful for him and looking forward to having him as our quarterback for a long time."
Kittle is entering the final year of a five-year, $75 million extension he signed in 2020. He's slated to count $22,085,000 against the 2025 salary cap, a number that would exceed his previous high cap hit by a little less than $10 million. His deal also includes void years through 2028 that add up to more than a $13 million cap hit in 2026 after the contract expires.
With Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride signing a four-year extension averaging $19 million per season recently, Kittle is now the fourth-highest-paid tight end in the NFL in average annual salary.
Kittle told ESPN after the season that he doesn't want to go anywhere.
"My goal is to wear the red and gold my entire career," Kittle said.
At February's NFL scouting combine, Lynch said the Niners also want Kittle to finish his career in San Francisco, though he also indicated some other pieces of business would likely take precedent.
The 49ers start their OTAs on May 27, but their first mandatory activity of the offseason isn't until their minicamp on June 10-11.