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

The 49ers and George Kittle put an end to a week of simmering contract drama and inked a record-breaking four-year extension.

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.