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Kyle Juszczyk

49ers FB Kyle Juszczyk Did Not Anticipate Pay Cut

July 12th, 2024 at 1:30pm CST by Adam La Rose

Part of the 49ers’ offseason cap management included pay cut requests with players such as defensive tackle Arik Armstead and fullback Kyle Juszczyk. The former ended up declining and signing with the Jaguars in free agency, while the latter agreed to a restructured deal.

When addressing this spring’s developments, Juszczyk made it clear he did not foresee the team asking him to reduce his 2024 pay. San Francisco has, of course, had a number of contract matters to deal with during the offseason, chief among them an extension agreement with wideout Brandon Aiyuk. Plenty of progress needs to be made on that front as the team aims to also keep fellow receiver Deebo Samuel, tight end George Kittle (who also reworked his pact), recently-extended running back Christian McCaffrey and quarterback Brock Purdy in the fold for as long as possible.

“Honestly, it hurt when [general manager] John [Lynch] came to me and asked,” Juszczyk said about the pay cut request (via Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area). “I wasn’t necessarily expecting it. It kind of hurts your ego and hurts your heart a little bit. I understand that it’s a business, but I do feel like I’m as valuable as what I was expected to get paid.”

Juszczyk, 33, received $4MM in new guarantees as a result of the arrangement worked out with the 49ers. He is on the books for two more years, and his overall AAV sits at $4.55MM. That figure is the highest in the NFL amongst fullbacks, something which Juszczyk insisted remained the case during contract talks.

“Quite honestly, that was important to me,” the Harvard alum added. “That was something that went into negotiations: ‘All right, we can figure this out and take a cut, but I still need to be the highest paid.’ No knocks on other fullbacks in the league, but I’m the best fullback in the league.”

Juszczyk spent his first four seasons with the Ravens, and he earned a Pro Bowl nod in his final Baltimore campaign. That 2016 honor has been repeated for each of his seven San Francisco years, and in 2023 he added first-team All-Pro acclaim to his resume. The former fourth-rounder has not surpassed 354 scrimmage yards in a season, but his success as a blocker has helped lead to sustained recognition as the standard at his position around the NFL. That will be accompanied by a positive outlook heading into 2024

“I still love John and [head coach] Kyle [Shanahan] – still have great relationships with them,” Juszczyk said. “I think this is the best team in the league, and I think we have the best chance to win a Super Bowl. So this is where I wanted to be… So we got it done, and I’m back with the Niners, and so I am happy.”

NFC Restructures: 49ers, Smith, Eskridge

March 24th, 2024 at 7:55pm CST by Ely Allen

The 49ers recently restructured the contracts of two offensive mainstays that cleared up a heap of cap space. According to ESPN’s Field Yates and Adam Schefter, both tight end George Kittle and fullback Kyle Juszczyk agreed to restructured contracts to help lessen their impact on the salary cap.

Charean Williams of NBC Sports provided us with some details on Kittle’s newly redone deal. The veteran tight end was set to have a base salary of $13.4MM with a cap hit of $21.96MM in 2024. Instead, the team converted $12.19MM of his base salary for 2024 into a signing bonus while adding one voidable year to the existing two already at the tail end of his contract. The move cleared up $9.75MM of space in the team’s salary cap.

While Schefter’s initial report claimed that the restructure for Juszczyk would free up approximately $1.75MM of cap space, a later report from Tom Pelissero of NFL Network laid out some details that would clear almost $4MM of cap space. The restructured deal will reportedly reduce his base salary in both 2024 and 2025, forming what is essentially now a two-year, $9.1MM contract. In exchange for the reduced pay, San Francisco gave Juszczyk $4MM of new guarantees.

Here are some details on other recent restructures from around the conference:

  • We reported a restructured deal for Vikings safety Harrison Smith about a week and a half ago, and thanks to Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune, we have some details on the new contract. The restructure addressed the final two years of Smith’s contract, essentially giving him a two-year, $10.25MM deal with three void years at the end of the contract. Smith received $7MM of guaranteed money in the form of a signing bonus and will receive a per game active bonus of $30K for a potential season-total of $510K. The new contract reduces Smith’s cap number in 2024 by $11.9MM and reduces his 2025 cap impact by $15.5MM.
  • The Seahawks cleared up some cap space by restructuring the contract of wide receiver D’Wayne Eskridge, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. It’s just a slight tweak for a player who was only slotted to make $1.47MM in the final year of his rookie deal. The restructure will open up about $500K of cap space for Seattle.

49ers’ Deebo Samuel Out For Week 8; Kyle Juszczyk Undergoes Surgery

October 30th, 2022 at 1:57pm CST by Adam La Rose

In the second game during which the 49ers will have their new No. 1 running back available, they will be shorthanded in their receiving corps. The team ruled out Deebo Samuel for their Week 8 game against the Rams, as a result of a hamstring injury.

This will be Samuel’s first missed contest of the year, one in which expectations were sky-high. His All-Pro performance in 2021 – during which he posted 1,405 receiving yards and eight rushing touchdowns – led to a dramatic spike in his perceived free agent value. Extension eligible for the first time this offseason, a lack of traction in contract talks led the 26-year-old to request a trade in April.

The situation ultimately resulted in a deal being struck at the end of July, though, with Samuel set to average nearly $24MM per season. So far in 2022, the final year of his rookie contract, the South Carolina product has once again been featured both in the air and on the ground. Samuel ranks second on the team in receiving (387) and rushing (138) yards.

Another key member of the 49ers’ offense will be absent today. Fullback Kyle Juszczyk had surgery to repair a broken finger earlier this week, as noted (on Twitter) by Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. The 31-year-old had played in every contest so far this year, after having done the same in 2020 and 2021. Those campaigns extended his Pro Bowl streak to six years, meaning his absence will be felt as the team tries to further implement trade acquisition Christian McCaffrey into their offense.

Among the notable defensive players who will be sidelined is Dre Greenlaw. He, too will miss his first contest of the season – ending a welcomed run of availability after he was limited to just three games last season. He is dealing with a calf injury, something which will leave San Francisco’s linebacking corps shorthanded. Greenlaw had played every defensive snap in five games this season, cementing his status as a key member of the unit after agreeing to a two-year extension last month.

The 3-4 49ers will look to rebound from last week’s loss to the Chiefs and attempt to gain ground in the wide-open NFC West against the defending champions.

49ers Re-Sign Kyle Juszczyk

March 14th, 2021 at 8:35pm CST by Rory Parks

UPDATE, 8:35pm: It’s now official. Juszczyk has signed a five-year extension with the 49ers worth an impressive $27MM, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network tweets. Rapsheet notes the contract is signed, so it’s a done deal. The pact comes with $10MM guaranteed, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports tweets.

8:33am: About three weeks ago, we heard that the 49ers were making a push to re-sign fullback Kyle Juszczyk in advance of free agency. With the legal tampering period set to kick off tomorrow, it appears that San Francisco may have struck an accord just in time.

Late last night, Niners GM John Lynch posted the following tweet, which certainly makes it sound as if Juszczyk will be back: “I’m thirsty. Niners fans, you want some ‘Juice?'” Presumably, Lynch does not plan on bringing in O.J. Simpson in an advisory role, so that would seem to indicate that he was referring to a Juszczyk re-up.

In Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan‘s first offseason running the 49ers, they signed the former Ravens blocker to a four-year, $21MM deal. That 2017 pact still resides on its own tier at the fullback position, with only two other FBs — Derek Watt and C.J. Ham — earning more than $2MM in average annual salary.

Of course, Juszczyk is more than just a blocking fullback. While he is hardy the focal point of Shanahan’s offense, he is a useful and versatile weapon, having compiled 102 catches for 1,080 yards and 35 carries for 132 yards over the past four seasons. He has nine total touchdowns during that time, and he has earned four consecutive Pro Bowl nods for his efforts.

Because there are still no obvious comps, it could be that Juszczyk’s second contract with the 49ers will look much like his first one. But in any event, Lynch will have around $30MM in cap space heading into free agency, so he will have some ability to sign a quality FA or two and perhaps retain LT Trent Williams.

49ers, FB Kyle Juszczyk Exchange Offers

February 23rd, 2021 at 4:07pm CST by Sam Robinson

49ers GM John Lynch said last month the 49ers will make a strong effort to retain Kyle Juszczyk. The team has begun its effort to retain its fullback of the past four seasons.

Juszczyk’s camp and the 49ers have exchanged offers ahead of free agency, veteran NFL reporter Josina Anderson tweets. While these are described as preliminary talks, Anderson adds they have been pleasant and that the veteran blocker/outlet option would be happy with a deal that keeps him in San Francisco (Twitter link).

“He’s a unique person and a unique football player because he does so many things for you,” Lynch said. “He’s important to us and we’re going to make every effort to try to keep him here.”

Free agency went well for Juszczyk four years ago. In Lynch and Kyle Shanahan‘s first offseason running the 49ers, they signed the former Ravens blocker to a whopping (for a fullback) $5.25MM-per-year deal. This 2017 contract still resides on its own tier at this position, with only two other fullbacks — Derek Watt and C.J. Ham — earning more than $2MM in average annual salary.

While Juszczyk has no other contracts to use in his talks with the 49ers, he has been an essential part of Shanahan’s offense. The NFC has deemed him its Pro Bowl fullback in each of the past four seasons. His 472 offensive snaps were second among fullbacks last year. Juszczyk, who has exceeded 200 receiving yards in each of his 49ers seasons, scored a career-high six touchdowns in 2020. He also helped the team’s run game churn out yards despite five running backs seeing extensive time. The eight-year veteran will turn 30 in April.

The franchise tag groups fullbacks and running backs together and is thus not an option for Juszczyk. The 49ers are prepared to let Richard Sherman depart in free agency and have Trent Williams residing a top priority weeks away from the market opening. Slot cornerback K’Waun Williams and boundary corner Jason Verrett profile as key 49er free agents as well.

49ers Rumors: Reed, Bosa, Ford, Juszczyk

September 2nd, 2020 at 3:26pm CST by Sam Robinson

One of the NFL’s most injury-prone players, Jordan Reed considered retirement after missing all of the 2019 season. The ex-Washington tight end dealt with another concussion last year, adding to a lengthy list of head injuries for the former Pro Bowler. But he signed with the 49ers this summer and is set to back up George Kittle.

“I definitely thought about hanging it up after last season,” Reed said, via the San Francisco Chronicle’s Eric Branch. “But it was when I watched the Super Bowl is what really ignited me again. I want to play in those big games. … Before I made my decision, I saw some professionals. And I did my rehab. All the tests were clear. I’m healthy and I’m good to go.”

Following last season, Reed has missed 25 NFL games because of concussions. He also suffered at least one in each of his three Florida seasons. The 30-year-old playmaker signed a one-year deal worth the veteran minimum ($1.05MM for an eighth-year player).

Here is the latest out of San Francisco:

  • Both Nick Bosa and Dee Ford are currently sidelined with injuries. Bosa is dealing with a strained muscle, while Ford is battling a calf malady. However, Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday he would be “very surprised” if his high-end edge rushers were unavailable for Week 1, via ESPN.com’s Nick Wagoner (on Twitter). Bosa dealt with a high ankle sprain during the 49ers’ 2019 training camp but played every game last season. Ford ran into knee and foot trouble and was limited to a part-time role.
  • Kyle Juszczyk is also on the shelf for the 49ers. The acclaimed fullback suffered a hamstring strain, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area notes. The 49ers, however, expect him to be ready by the time they face the Cardinals in Week 1.
  • During a late-summer wide receiver shuffle, the 49ers placed J.J. Nelson on IR and cut Jaron Brown. Kevin White and Tavon Austin remain on the roster, and the latter has performed well during camp, Branch notes. A former top-10 pick who turned 30 this year, Austin has not met expectations as a pro. But he’s played seven NFL seasons and, despite being listed as a wideout, has 10 rushing TDs in his career. San Francisco remains down Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk as well, complicating its receiver depth chart. Injuries will certainly play a key part in how the 49ers’ receiver group looks after Saturday’s roster cutdown.
  • Despite White and Austin being vested veterans, each would be eligible for a practice squad spot. Due to the pandemic, teams can use up to six of their 16 P-squad slots on veterans with any amount of NFL experience this year. Shanahan is interested in taking advantage of this one-time-only luxury. “I love the fact that they’ll let us have vets on it,” the fourth-year 49ers coach said (via Maiocco). “I understand that some players won’t want to do that, but we’ll do our best to tell them why we think it’s a good opportunity for them.” Vested vets are slated to earn $12K per week on the taxi squad this season.

49ers To Pick Up K’Waun Williams’ Option

March 5th, 2020 at 3:25pm CST by Sam Robinson

K’Waun Williams‘ 49ers career is set to extend into a fourth season. The team intends to pick up the cornerback’s 2020 option, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic (on Twitter). They made the same transaction last March and saw Williams continue to be one of the best slot corners in the game.

The 49ers extended Williams in 2017. Said extension calls for a mere $2.15MM base salary in 2020. While this could be a bridge to another deal, the 49ers have their slot man under contract at a bargain rate for the time being.

Pro Football Focus graded Williams as the league’s No. 7 overall corner last season, and both he and Richard Sherman (No. 1 on that list) are set to reprise their roles next season. The 49ers also have younger talents Emmanuel Moseley and Ahkello Witherspoon under contract. Williams, 28, signed with the 49ers in 2017 after a tumultuous Browns tenure and has operated as a key defender throughout Kyle Shanahan’s tenure.

The Williams move comes a day after the 49ers exercised fellow 2017 free agent addition Kyle Juszczyk‘s 2020 option. While the 49ers have bigger decisions to make this offseason — most notably involving pass rusher Arik Armstead — they are taking care of some key role players this week.

Injury Updates: Juszczyk, Newton, Leonard

October 8th, 2019 at 8:15pm CST by Rory Parks

We rounded up a few injury updates earlier today, and now we have another batch to pass along:

  • 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk will miss four to six weeks of action with a sprained MCL, as Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network tweets. Pelissero also says Juice, one of the league’s most important fullbacks, will get a second opinion. There is some hope that the Harvard product can return before four weeks.
  • Panthers QB Cam Newton will not travel with the team to London this week, as Brendan Marks of the Charlotte Observer writes. Head coach Ron Rivera said Newton is making progress in his rehab of a Lisfranc injury in his left foot, but there’s still no definitive word as to when he might return.
  • The Colts are on a bye this week, and they should have a big boost when they return. LB Darius Leonard, who has missed the last three games with a concussion, shared a photo on IG saying he’s been cleared to play.
  • Raiders DE Arden Key suffered a sprained patellar tendon during the team’s win over the Bears on Sunday, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (via Twitter). He will miss several weeks, which led Oakland to work out a few edge defenders today.

Injury Updates: Rams, Matthews, Giants, Engram

October 8th, 2019 at 12:58pm CST by Zachary Links

There’s still no official word on when Rams outside linebacker Clay Matthews will return to action, but a realistic return date for him would be after the team’s bye week, head coach Sean McVay told reporters. That would line the veteran up for a Week 10 return on Nov. 10 against the Steelers, restoring one of the Rams’ defensive stars for a second-half push.

While Matthews’ busted jaw heals up, the Rams will face the 49ers in an intrastate matchup on Sunday.

Here’s more on some notable injuries from around the NFL:

  • Giants tight end Evan Engram is dealing with a sprained MCL, a source tells ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). It’ll be a challenge for Engram to play against the Patriots on Thursday, Schefter hears, which would leave the club with Rhett Ellison, Garrett Dickerson, and Kaden Smith at TE. Meanwhile, wide receiver Sterling Shepard is out and running back Saquon Barkley is considered unlikely to play.
  • 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk suffered an MCL injury on Monday night against the Browns, a source tells NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter). The team should know more after an MRI on Tuesday. Juszczyk may not be a household name, but he’s a key part of SF’s offense.

49ers Exercise Options On Juszczyk, Watson

March 7th, 2019 at 4:08pm CST by Zachary Links

The 49ers decided to get a good deal of their housekeeping done on Thursday. Per a team announcement, the club has made the following transactions:

Tendered:

Exercised 2019 Options:

Declined 2019 option

For the most part, these were no-brainer calls for SF. Mostert, Lee, and Mabin will all return on cheap one-year deals that require little in the way of actual commitments. Juszczyk, signed to a four-year, $21MM deal in 2017, is regarded as one of the very best fullbacks in the NFL and graded out as the second-best in the league last year, per Pro Football Focus. who rejoiced when he was cut by the Pats and claimed by the Niners in 2017, tallied a career-high 5.5 sacks in 2018.

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