Kyle Juszczyk earned a career-high 73.8 overall grade from analytics site Pro Football Focus during the team's 2019 Super Bowl run. Since then, his grades have steadily declined, culminating in a 56.7 overall grade this past season, his lowest mark as a starter.
This offseason, the 49ers approached Juszczyk about taking a pay cut or being released. After some reluctance, the eight-time Pro Bowl fullback agreed, remaining where he is comfortable and on a roster ready to make another Super Bowl run.
Juszczyk's lowest grade of last season came during the 49ers' playoff game against the Green Bay Packers when he earned a 36.8 mark. He earned grades of 63.6 or higher in the next two contests, but neither was overwhelmingly impressive.
Juszczyk disagrees with Pro Football Focus' data, believing he is playing the best football of his career. That's why a pay cut request came as a shock.
"I felt like throughout the playoffs I was playing some of my best ball," Juszczyk told Michael Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle. "And by no means do I feel like my play has declined, contrary to what PFF thinks."
Juszczyk added, "They like to show that since 2019, I've gotten worse and worse and worse, which I promise isn't the case."
During the decision process that eventually led to Juszczyk opting to remain with the 49ers, the fullback knew his unemployment wouldn't last long if he were released. According to Silver, one of several potential landing spots was a division rival, the Arizona Cardinals.
"I have a house [in the Bay Area]; my roots are set there," Juszczyk said. "So it was gonna take a lot for someone to uproot me. There were a lot of teams that were interested, but nobody that was gonna blow me away and make it worth giving all that up."
Juszczyk's decision to stay with the 49ers underscores his commitment to the team and belief in their championship potential. The fullback won't let analytics data or his pay cut deter his resolve to help San Francisco finally achieve Super Bowl glory.
