The 49ers may have to say goodbye to Kyle Juszczyk this offseason.
With the San Francisco 49ers seeming more likely to try and cut costs this offseason rather than make big additions, one player who could be a casualty is beloved fullback Kyle Juszczyk. He may be asked to take yet another pay cut.
If Juszczyk, or "Juice" as he is affectionately called by fans, declines to take another pay cut, then it seems likely San Francisco will release him.
ESPN's Nick Wagoner recently reported as much about the NFL's highest-paid fullback:
"Fullback Kyle Juszczyk could also be in line for a revised contract or, potentially, on the way out. Juszczyk told ESPN after the season that he hopes to stick around and believes there has been no drop-off in his play. He took a pay cut last offseason but is scheduled to count $6,496,750 against the cap this year."
Kyle Juszczyk likely wouldn't accept another pay cut
The 33-year-old Juszczyk was very honest about the fact that he was hurt when the Niners asked him to take a pay cut last offseason. He likely understands the 49ers have had to get creative to make all of their large contracts work, but it is never pleasant to be asked to take a deduction in pay, especially when he feels his production has not dropped off.
Unfortunately, a lot of the value that Juszczyk brings to the table is not easily quantified. At a glance, it may seem absurd the 49ers would spend nearly $6.5 million on a player who only had five carries for 26 yards and one touchdown in the 2024 season. But so much of what he brings to the table has to do with his blocking.
To be fair, he did have 200 receiving yards and caught two touchdown passes last season, but on an offense with so many weapons, it can be hard to get Juszczyk involved in the action.
We will have to see how things play out with the fullback this offseason. With the Niners talking about getting younger and trying to save money, moving on from the veteran seems like a real possibility. Whether it comes in the form of releasing him or trading him, the popular fullback may have already played his last game in San Francisco.
On the flip side of that coin, he is still a well-liked player both among fans and his teammates, so getting rid of him could be more of a morale-killer than it is worth.
But, the fact that his departure is a possibility speaks to the new reality the 49ers find themselves in this offseason.
