San Francisco 49ers All-Pro Kyle Juszczyk is straight-up fed up with how his team negotiates his contract, telling NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco that he's a "fullback when it comes to contract negotiations, which hurts, but then I'm a tight end on game day." You can practically feel his frustration through that quote.
Fullback On Paper, Tight End On The Field
Listen, the guy is an anomaly in the NFL. The 49ers actually use a full-time fullback, and they lean on him a ton. Last year, Juszczyk was out there for a wild 45% of the team's offensive snaps. He ain't just blocking in the backfield either. Pro Football Focus tracked him for 188 snaps as an in-line tight end, 167 in the backfield, 148 in the slot, 55 out wide, and even one snap under center. So yeah, he's lining up literally all over the field, acting like a utility tight end, but when the money talks, he's just "the fullback."A Veteran's Worth Ignored?
This isn't some rookie complaining, either. We're talking about a veteran who's made 10 Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams in his 13 seasons. He's hauled in 305 passes for 2,877 yards and 20 touchdowns, plus another 234 rushing yards and six scores. That's serious production! But despite all that, the 35-year-old signed a two-year, $8 million extension last March. And here's the kicker: that's the exact same deal that 49ers backup tight end Jake Tonges received this offseason. You read that right. An All-Pro, one of the best fullbacks in NFL history, getting paid like a backup tight end. Even with Tonges starting until George Kittle is healthy, Juszczyk is still considered "more impactful for San Francisco in 2026." This whole situation stinks. It shows you exactly how some teams value players who do the dirty work and contribute in unconventional ways. Juszczyk is putting his career and body on the line, delivering impact on game day, only to feel undervalued when it comes to the contract. How long can a team expect that kind of commitment when they're not backing it up financially for their proven veterans?This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.