The San Francisco 49ers needed some salary cap space, and fullback Kyle Juszczyk created a hole for the team by accepting a pay cut.
“It’s huge,” 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Tuesday at the annual NFL owners meeting in Orlando. “Kyle has been a valuable member of our team since we arrived. We’d hate to have lost him. Kyle’s willingness to do so was beneficial to us, as was his decision to continue with us. I’m quite glad he decided to do that.”
Juszczyk was under contract with the squad for five years and $27 million, which was set to expire in 2025. Despite his wage cut, Juszczyk signed a two-year, $9.1 million contract, which would save the 49ers $4 million in 2024.
“I think those are little things that give us an advantage,” 49ers owner and CEO Jed York said on Tuesday of Juszczyk. “To sort of stay in that mix, stay in that hunt where your window of winning a Super Bowl can be extended because guys are willing to work with you to stay on the team and also give you the room to be able to go attract more people to be able to come in to the club.”
Juszczyk, a fourth-round choice by the Baltimore Ravens in 2013, has been a consistent force in two separate NFL backfields over the past decade. In 2017, the former Harvard standout left the Ravens in free agency to sign with the 49ers.
While Juszczyk does not put up large numbers, his job as a blocker has helped the 49ers win consistently in recent years. He has guided the team to two Super Bowl appearances and four NFC Championship games.
“I feel like I’ve really been embraced,” Juszczyk told The Washington Post in January. “There aren’t many teams where you hear much about the fullback. Many fans probably couldn’t tell you their names. “It’s great that all the [49ers] fans are familiar with me and my name.” It means a lot.
Juszczyk has made 347 catches for 2,464 yards and 16 touchdowns in his career. He also has 211 running yards and five touchdowns on 62 carries.