The fullback position is one that not every NFL team uses a roster spot on. The San Francisco 49ers do, however, and they have one of the best in Kyle Juszczyk.
Regardless, general manager John Lynch went to Juszczyk during the offseason and proposed a pay cut. Juszczyk agreed to a restructured contract to create a new two-year, $9.1 million deal. The move cleared nearly $4 million in cap space for the team in 2024.
"Honestly, it hurt when John came to me and asked," Juszczyk said, via NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco. "I wasn't necessarily expecting it. It kind of hurts your ego and hurts your heart a little bit. I understand that it's a business, but I do feel like I'm as valuable as what I was expected to get paid."
San Francisco also tried to keep defensive lineman Arik Armstead by requesting him to take a pay cut. Armstead declined and was released. He then took his services to the east coast, where he signed a three-year, $51 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars. A couple of weeks later, Armstead revealed he felt "extremely disrespected" by San Francisco's pay cut request.
As for the 33-year-old Juszczyk, he still wanted to remain with the 49ers and had no desire to be anywhere else in 2024.
"I think this is the best team in the league, and I think we have the best chance to win a Super Bowl," Juszczyk said. "So, this is where I wanted to be. That's where my roots are. I have a home here. So, we got it done, and I'm back with the Niners, and so I am happy."
Juszczyk, who has made eight consecutive Pro Bowls dating back to the 2016 season, is on one of the most talented rosters in the league. But other players are in line for big deals soon, such as quarterback Brock Purdy and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Purdy is not yet eligible for a new deal but has been setting himself up for an eventual payday as he enters his third NFL season, while Aiyuk wants better compensation right now but believes he will remain with the 49ers as he heads into the final year of his rookie contract.
One thing that remained important to Juszczyk was being the highest-paid fullback in the league. Juszczyk explained why he wanted to stay at the top of the list despite taking a pay cut this offseason.
"Quite honestly, that was important to me," he said. "That was something that went into negotiations: 'All right, we can figure this out and take a cut, but I still need to be the highest paid.' No knocks on other fullbacks in the league, but I'm the best fullback in the league."
