Kyle Juszczyk is a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and is widely considered the best fullback in the NFL. He has been with the San Francisco 49ers since 2017 and was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first free-agent class.
"At this point in my career, I've had a lot of individual successes," Juszczyk recently told Matt Maiocco during an interview for NBC Sports Bay Area's "49ers Talk" podcast. "I've had the Pro Bowls, the All-Pros, I've signed three contracts, widely known as one of the best fullbacks in the league. So I take a lot of pride in all that, and I love that. I truly do."
Juszczyk has yet to catch a pass this season but has 151 receptions for 1,576 yards and nine receiving touchdowns in his seven seasons with the 49ers. He loves catching passes, and the accolades he has earned are nice. However, in his 11th NFL season, the veteran player is focused on team goals, not individual ones.
"My favorite thing in the world to do is to catch the ball," Juszczyk shared. "I've always said if I could choose one thing or the other, I don't care that I'm a fullback, I want to catch the ball. That's what always motivated me to block harder, is so I could stay out there, so I have another chance to catch the ball.
"But, all that being said, having all those individual goals, having already done them, but I haven't won a Super Bowl, now my focus is just so much on that ultimate goal and team goal of winning a ring. That means more than anything to me."
That goal could be reached this season. Juszczyk is part of a talented 49ers roster and a team that is the betting favorite to win Super Bowl 58. His Niners have come close, reaching the NFC Championship Game three times and a Super Bowl over the past four seasons. They just haven't been able to bring him the organization's sixth Lombardi Trophy, though.
"At the end of the day, if I finish the season with my 20 to 30 catches, but we lose in the playoffs, I've done that," Juszczyk said. "That's cool and all, but I want something more. I really do want that ring. And so right now, if that requires me just doing more blocking, more decoys, that kind of stuff, and seeing other guys succeed, that's fantastic. That's okay."
The fullback is willing to do whatever his coaches ask of him. There have never been so many offensive weapons around him. The 49ers boast other playmakers like running back Christian McCaffrey, wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, and tight end George Kittle, to name a few. If that means less involvement in the passing game for Juszczyk as San Francisco continues to rack up wins, so be it.
"I'm genuinely happy that we're winning and we're scoring 30 points a game," Juszczyk added. "I will take that right now. I hope I get the ball more, but it's not absolutely required."
