Fullback Kyle Juszczyk, one of the first players to join head coach Kyle Shanahan with the San Francisco 49ers in 2017, has been informed by the team that he will be released, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The veteran will become a free agent.
Source: 49ers informed nine-time Pro-Bowl fullback Kyle Juszcyk tonight that he is being released. He is set to hit free agency and wants to continue playing. pic.twitter.com/YxDck3GQia
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2025
This move will save the 49ers $2.9 million in salary cap space for 2025. If Juszczyk is designated as a post-June 1 release, the team's savings will increase to $4.6 million, per OverTheCap.com.
The Baltimore Ravens selected Juszczyk (6-2, 235) out of Harvard in the fourth round (No. 130 overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft. He spent the last eight seasons with the 49ers, rushing for 212 yards and five touchdowns on 60 carries. Additionally, he recorded 184 receptions for 1,895 yards and 13 receiving touchdowns since joining the team, per Pro Football Reference.
Juszczyk played 50% of the team's offensive snaps last season. He is a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and earned All-Pro honors in 2023 and 2024.
Teammate George Kittle shared his reaction to the news on social media.
💔🧃
— George Kittle (@gkittle46) March 11, 2025
Juszczyk had been aware that his future with the 49ers could be in jeopardy. He made it clear that he plans to continue playing.
"There's a lot up in the air and who's going to be here, who's not, some contracts that need to be figured out," Juszczyk said after the season. "So, I'm aware of that. I just hope it doesn't affect me."
General manager John Lynch spoke about Juszczyk's status last month at the NFL Scouting Combine.
"Juice is a great player, and he's been really valuable to us, so he's part of us," Lynch said. "We'll see. We're thinking of a lot of things right now. We're trying to make everything work, and some tighter constraints than we've had in the past."