SANTA CLARA, Calif. – John Lynch, San Francisco 49ers general manager, teased it late Saturday night, but it didn’t become official until Sunday: the Niners are holding fullback Kyle Juszczyk in their lap.
Aiming to re-sign Juszczyk before the early negotiation window opens Monday, the Niners and their versatile fullback agreed to a five-year deal, $ 27 million including $ 10 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Sunday night.
Joe Linta, Juszczyk’s agent, confirmed via Twitter that a five-year deal had been reached.
The deal with Juszczyk comes less than 24 hours after Lynch sent out a cryptic tweet Sunday night saying, “I’m thirsty. Niners fans, want some ‘Juice?'” Lynch’s tweet was a clear reference to Juszczyk, nicknamed “Juice.” and has become a fan favorite in the Bay Area and in the Niners’ locker room.
“He is, in my opinion, one of those,” said George Kittle at the end of the season. “I don’t know if anyone does the things he does on the football field. I also think he is incredibly undervalued. But people who watch football, the people who understand football, they understand how important Juice is.”
Juszczyk also confirmed the five-year deal and thanked the organization on social media on Sunday evening.
San Francisco has more than 20 players ready to become unlimited free agents and has given way to about half a dozen of those entering the new league year. By keeping Juszczyk, the 49ers can continue to work on deals with their other top priorities, including left tackle Trent Williams and cornerbacks K’Waun Williams and Jason Verrett.
The 49ers initially signed Juszczyk to a $ 21 million four-year deal in 2017, a contract that easily surpassed any previous fullback deal. In the four seasons since, Juszczyk’s 102 receptions for 1,080 yards and seven touchdowns have compromised the 43 catches, 399 yards and four scores of the next closest fullback in each of these categories.
Juszczyk’s versatility has become a focal point of Shanahan’s offense, emphasizing that things look the same in terms of staff and alignment, but add wrinkles that throw off the defense. Juszczyk had embodied that by standing in the slot (9.3% of his snaps), external receiver (7.2%), inline tight end (11.5%) and in the back field (72%).
Coach Kyle Shanahan’s attack has deployed a fullback more than any other team in the league since taking over Juszczyk and has had much more success with him on the field.
With two running backs on the field, the 49ers averaged 5.99 yards per game (second in the NFL), 4.49 yards per rush (fifth), and 8.65 yards per pass (third). With one or no running backs on the field, those figures drop to 5.45 (20th), 4.26 (23rd) and 6.48 (19th).