The Pittsburgh Steelers struck out on adding fullback Kyle Juszczyk, even after a free agent visit. Instead, even after being released, Juszczyk returned to the San Francisco 49ers, who brought him back on a two-year, $8 million deal.
That deal came together after Juszczyk was released by the 49ers. He wanted to test the market. However, the Steelers ended up offering more money, and Juszczyk still went back to the 49ers.
“Nine-time Pro Bowl fullback Kyle Juszczyk is returning to the San Francisco 49ers on a two-year, $8 million deal,” ESPN’s Nick Wagoner wrote. “A source said Juszczyk took less than what the Pittsburgh Steelers were offering to return to San Francisco.”
Joining SiriusXM Radio last week, Juszczyk revealed why he could not leave San Francisco and decided to head back home instead of signing with the Steelers.
“I think, like anybody, it’s good to see what your market is,” Juszczyk said. “So they gave me the opportunity to do that. So me and my agent went to work and we had some interested teams. And we explored those possibilities because I feel like that’s just fair to me and my family. You’ve got to explore those possibilities even if it’s something that, deep down, maybe you don’t want to do. We looked into it and I think, just to put it in the simplest terms, at the end of the day, it was too much to leave home. I wanted to be a Niner, and we were able to get to a number that I was comfortable with. And then we were able to make the deal, and I couldn’t be happier. And I’m trying not to look back at all. I’m just happy to be there and know I’m locked in for two more years.”
Juszczyk was a second-team All-Pro this past season, and he is a nine-time Pro Bowler over his time with the Baltimore Ravensand 49ers. The former Harvard fullback was a fourth-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.
Juszczyk has over 2000 receiving yards but just over 200 rushing yards. Still, across his career, he has been the best NFL fullback and scored 24 touchdowns over the last 11 years.
Juszczyk, 34, caught 19 passes for 200 yards last season. His special teams stats are dropping, too, as he only averaged about seven per game in 2024
BETTING: Check out our guide to thebest PA sportsbooks, where our team of sports betting experts has reviewed the experience, payout speed, parlay options and quality of odds for multiple sportsbooks.