49ers GM John Lynch said last month the 49ers will make a strong effort to retain Kyle Juszczyk. The team has begun its effort to retain its fullback of the past four seasons.
Juszczyk’s camp and the 49ers have exchanged offers ahead of free agency, veteran NFL reporter Josina Anderson tweets. While these are described as preliminary talks, Anderson adds they have been pleasant and that the veteran blocker/outlet option would be happy with a deal that keeps him in San Francisco (Twitter link).
“He’s a unique person and a unique football player because he does so many things for you,” Lynch said. “He’s important to us and we’re going to make every effort to try to keep him here.”
Free agency went well for Juszczyk four years ago. In Lynch and Kyle Shanahan‘s first offseason running the 49ers, they signed the former Ravens blocker to a whopping (for a fullback) $5.25MM-per-year deal. This 2017 contract still resides on its own tier at this position, with only two other fullbacks — Derek Watt and C.J. Ham — earning more than $2MM in average annual salary.
While Juszczyk has no other contracts to use in his talks with the 49ers, he has been an essential part of Shanahan’s offense. The NFC has deemed him its Pro Bowl fullback in each of the past four seasons. His 472 offensive snaps were second among fullbacks last year. Juszczyk, who has exceeded 200 receiving yards in each of his 49ers seasons, scored a career-high six touchdowns in 2020. He also helped the team’s run game churn out yards despite five running backs seeing extensive time. The eight-year veteran will turn 30 in April.
The franchise tag groups fullbacks and running backs together and is thus not an option for Juszczyk. The 49ers are prepared to let Richard Sherman depart in free agency and have Trent Williams residing a top priority weeks away from the market opening. Slot cornerback K’Waun Williams and boundary corner Jason Verrett profile as key 49er free agents as well.
They gotta restructure Jimmy if he’s staying. They also have to cut Richburg and Ford. Get as much cap freed up as possible to bring back key guys. Hopefully they can also sign a new center like Mack.
Agreed on all points.
Ford has a injury guarantee in his contract. If he doesn’t pass a physical by April 1st he’s guaranteed 11.6 million so cutting him will be tricky. Since Richburg also is injured there may be some roadblocks with cutting him as well.
Agreed 100%
They trying to pay a FB but didn’t want to bring back Buckner lol
4 million per year and a defensive lineman 22 million. 18 million reasons they sign Juice.
John T, great answer but probably through both ears
I never said they would pay him the same as Buckner. Paying Armstead over Buckner was a awful decision and now paying Kyle J. would be close to the same cap hit at if they kept Buckner. 49ers are squandering their window.
apple vs orange sir
One wanted 20 mill a fb will get a lot less
Ford has a injury guarantee in his contract. If he doesn’t pass a physical by April 1st he’s guaranteed 11.6 million so cutting him will be tricky. Since Richburg also is injured there may be some roadblocks with cutting him as well.
#1. They can’t cut Ford, it would create way too much dead money, because they restructured his deal last season.
Ford is either healthy and will see some action, or he just won’t play, but either way, barring some miracle trade, he is going to be a 49er.
#2. Also, I don’t think restructuring Jimmy G’s deal would do them any favors either. The only way they could realistically cut down JGs cap hit, enough to where it would even be worth it to them, is by extending him, and we all know that IS NOT going to happen!!
#3. Also, they really don’t even save all THAT much by cutting ties with the ever so often injured Richburg. Most likely though, they will get whatever savings they can from cutting him lose, and they will look to target Alex Mack in free agency for cheap. Mack is familiar with Kyle, and he’d be a solid, reliable Center which is pivotal to Kyle Shanahan’s offense and more specifically his zone schemed rushing attack!!
They need to resign Juice and Trent Williams, sign Mack, and then they should be set on offense for the most part. Obviously, they could upgrade their 2nd TE spot, with someone like Jordan Reed, but someone that can stay healthy, maybe Eifort if he can continue staying healthy, Gerald Everett, or Virgil Green. Pitts from Florida would be an amazing luxury to have, if they drafted him in the 1st Round. He would instantly be a matchup nightmare alongside Kittle, Deebo Samuel, and Aiyuk, and those four would cause their opponents fits and headaches with Shanahan having a field day scheming those guys wide open.
Even still though, Lynch and Shanahan are going to need to replace Bourne and find some depth at the WR position behind Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, but they should be able to easily add some depth through free agency and the draft. If they could count on Richie James or especially Jalen Hurd to be healthy, it would be HUGE for their offense; however, even without adding any significant depth in free agency, they can find the quality depth they need in the draft. This upcoming draft is absolutely stacked with talented WRs, and teams will be able to get some quality playmakers in the 2nd and 3rd rounds, especially when it comes to finding some talented slot guys..
Regardless, I still think Lynch and Shanahan should target some low cost, high upside guys like John Ross or Demarcus Robinson, and then a versatile weapon Kyle could move around in Isaiah McKenzie or Cordarelle Patterson. I also think they could end up taking a long look at some high upside talents like Will Fuller or Curtis Samuel. If they can add Everett, Curtis Samuel, and Isaiah McKenzie to Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle, and Juice, along with improving their O-Line with signing Mack and resigning Trent Williams, then that would be a DREAM OFF-SEASON for Lynch and Kyle, and the 49ers would easily put themselves in the driver’s seat of the NFC West..
Their defense is going to need some holes filled, especially in their secondary, but if they can resign Verrett, draft Surtain, and then add a cheaper slot corner to replace K’Waun, they should be arrite. They will also need to replace Jaquiski Tartt, but he has been injured so often it shouldn’t be difficult. They can add some DL edge depth through the draft, and resign DJ Jones if his price is right, and then all that would be left is to sign some depth at LB/ST guys, and figure out if they can upgrade at the LB spot next to their ALL-WORLD LB in Fred Warner. Greenlaw significantly regressed last year, and they traded Kwon Alexander, so they just might draft Greenlaw some competition in the 3rd round and then call it a day!!
Definitely agree with you on the signings. But with 18 million in cap space and Trent Williams set to make between 18 and 22 million, the rest of the signings will be extremely difficult. I’m sure they can work some magic, but how much I don’t know.
Definitely agree with you on the signings. But with 18 million in cap space and Trent Williams set to make between 18 and 22 million, the rest of the signings will be extremely difficult. I’m sure they can work some magic, but how much I don’t know.
dumb question maybe, but Williams could make 18 to 22 million but what was he making pre-free agency. In other words, 18 to 22 mil minus his current salary is the increase??
Despite the Niners being absolutely riddled with injuries they still finished with the 7th best defense in the league. They probably finish too 5 if healthy & that’s why Buckner was traded. Sacks where down but with Bosa on the field that changes. With the cap dropping Juszczyk should be prepared for an offer that reflects that. If he wants to get paid it won’t be in San Fran. As for restructuring Jimmy G’s contract my guess is the full salary will end up being converted to upfront cash in order to have other money for guys like Bosa who will be coming due…
All true but I worry about most of their CB’s being let go. Well, at least the good ones.