NFL reporter Dianna Russini is standing by her reporting about George Kittle's contract dispute with the San Francisco 49ers, despite the All-Pro tight end publicly refuting what she's said. Kittle and the Niners are currently negotiating a new deal for the 31-year-old as he's entering the final year of his contract.

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.

Kittle is entering the final year of his contract, which holds a $22 million salary cap number for the Niners. Per OverTheCap, his contract's $15 million average annual value places him fourth at the tight end position, with Arizona Cardinals star Trey McBride leading the pack with his market-setting four-year, $76 million deal ($19 million AAV).