Kyle Juszczyk almost walked away from everything he’d built in San Francisco. The veteran fullback came within days of joining a new team, ready to start fresh after eight seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. But when the time to sign on the dotted line came, something held him back.
Why Did Kyle Juszczyk Nearly Leave San Francisco for Pittsburgh?
After being released by the 49ers earlier this spring due to a declined pay cut, Juszczyk explored his first serious departure from the Bay Area since arriving in 2017. One of the most intriguing opportunities came from the Pittsburgh Steelers, who hosted him for a visit during their splashy offseason in March.
From Aaron Rodgers to Jalen Ramsey, Pittsburgh has gone all-in on veterans this year. Had Juszczyk joined the fold, he would have been a perfect fit for Arthur Smith’s run-heavy scheme. However, after meeting with Smith and head coach Mike Tomlin, the 34-year-old fullback still felt something was missing.
“It was a different experience. It was a chance to go look at a different team, and I felt a lot of love from them,” Juszczyk told The Athletic. “I got excited for a second about what possibly could be, about new beginnings and fitting into a new offense, all that type of stuff. And I genuinely enjoyed my time with Arthur Smith and Mike Tomlin so much. I have so much respect for those guys. But at the end of the day, it just wasn’t enough to trump what I had in San Francisco.”
The brief flirtation with free agency took its toll. Juszczyk later called the short free agency period “the worst three days of my life,” underscoring just how tough it was to envision walking away from the organization that made him a household name.
What Brought Kyle Juszczyk Back to San Francisco?
Ultimately, it was familiarity and unfinished business that pulled Juszczyk back. A new two-year deal brought him back into the fold on a more team-friendly contract, boosting San Francisco at one of their most unique positions.
His resume speaks for itself. A nine-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro (1 first-team and 1 second-team), Juszczyk has been a core piece of the 49ers’ identity under Kyle Shanahan. He’s racked up 2,901 scrimmage yards and 24 total touchdowns across 12 NFL seasons, including 200 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 2024.
Meanwhile, the Steelers will turn to Connor Heyward and rookie DJ Thomas-Jones in a battle for the starting fullback spot. The 49ers retain one of the game’s most versatile chess pieces as they chase another Super Bowl run.
“I think deep, deep down, that’s what I was hoping for, is that there would be an opportunity to come back,” said Juszczyk.
Now back in San Francisco, Juszczyk will look to add to his already historic resume.
