Kyle Juszczyk had some thinking to do before making the decision earlier this week to return to the San Francisco 49ers on a five-year deal, but now that he's back in the fold, he's ready to get back into the business of helping the team win.
And at the moment, the best way Juszczyk can help the 49ers win is by convincing other players to sign with the team.
Juszczyk spoke with SiriusXM NFL Radio on Tuesday, one day after deciding to skip free agency and stay with the 49ers on a five-year, $27 million deal. The five-time Pro Bowl fullback said he's already been assisting head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch in trying to convince other players to follow in his footsteps.
"I'm a fan. I'm a recruiter," Juszczyk said. "I'm reaching out to guys trying to help Kyle and Lynch and them finish up the deal and get guys back, so I'm trying to help in any way I can to help build this team."
The 49ers still have a number of players slated to reach free agency at the start of the league year Wednesday (1 p.m. PT). The most notable of those players is offensive tackle Trent Williams, whom the 49ers are reportedly pushing hard to re-sign. But getting Juszczyk back in the fold was an important priority for the 49ers, who have made him an integral part of the offense since originally signing him as a free agent from the Ravens in 2017.
Returning to the 49ers wasn't completely a no-brainer for Juszczyk due to the fact he still has a family presence on the opposite side of the country. But given the contract he was offered and the way he's fit in with the 49ers since 2017, it made all the sense in the world for Juszczyk from a football perspective to stay right where he is.
"I wouldn't say it was the easiest decision just because there were some different things coming into play," Juszczyk told SiriusXM NFL Radio. "Really mostly off the field, just wanting to be closer to family and being on the East Coast. But at the end of the day, it was very easy on the football side just because these guys utilize my skillset so well, and I'm so happy to work there. I love my teammates and I love my coaches there. I feel like they really get the most out of me. So, in that term, yeah, it was very easy from a football standpoint."