Juszczyk is already the highest-paid fullback by a significant margin, which isn't likely to change with his next contract. Shanahan may look to rework his offense to be less dependent on a dominant fullback like Juszczyk. However, ideally, Juszczyk would stay put.
Josina Anderson, the host of the Undefined with Josina Anderson show and podcast, reports that the 49ers and Juszczyk have had "a few preliminary exchanges," discussing a potential return. San Francisco is waiting to see how the fullback might fit into their budget.
The NFL and NFLPA informed teams last week that the salary cap floor would rise by $5 million to $180 million. It could be higher, though. That's why the 49ers — and several other cap-strapped teams — are in a holding pattern.
Anderson's report matches up with what Matt Barrows of The Athletic reported last week.
"I can tell you that Juszczyk and the 49ers have had some preliminary talks, but we're nowhere near the serious discussion stage," wrote Barrows. "Free agency, after all, begins a week or so later (March 17) than it usually does."
Still, Juszczyk remains a priority for the 49ers.
"He's important to us, and we're going to make every effort to try to keep him here," general manager John Lynch said in January. "I'm sure there'll be competition, and we understand that, but Kyle's a real important player to this football team, and we'll do everything we can to keep him here."
Anderson describes the preliminary talks between Juszczyk and the 49ers as "pleasant."
Juszczyk would like to return to the 49ers but will consider his family situation in any decision.
"I've been lucky enough to have the career that I've had these past eight years that I'm definitely going to have a lot of options," Juszczyk recently said during a podcast interview. "But I also absolutely love San Francisco. I love playing for Kyle. I love playing for Mike McDaniel. Bobby Turner, my running back coach, is an absolute OG. I want to send him out the right way.
"But there's a lot more factors that come into play now. I'm 29 years old. I've been married for a while. We want to start a family soon. It's tough because our whole family is on the East Coast, and being out there on the West Coast, it's tough to really have our first child and basically be alone. That's something I have to think about and weigh in on my decision."
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers and Maxx Crosby: Albert Breer weighs in on potential blockbuster trade
Many believe the San Francisco 49ers could benefit from adding another proven veteran pass rusher to their defensive front. While the defense will welcome back Nick Bosa and expects 2025 first-round pick Mykel Williams to return to the lineup at some point, the team could still... -
49ers linked to Steelers' Alex Highsmith in potential trade scenario
The San Francisco 49ers expect the eventual returns of Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams from ACL injuries to provide a significant boost to a pass rush that struggled to generate consistent pressure last season. The team also invested in the position during the offseason, selecting... -
Should the 49ers be worried about a potential Aaron Donald comeback?
As if having to face Myles Garrett twice a season wasn't concerning enough for the San Francisco 49ers, the latest Los Angeles Rams rumor could make life even more difficult. NFL insider Jordan Schultz recently reached out to former Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald to gauge... -
49ers coach reveals potential breakout linebacker heading into 2026 season
Every morning, San Francisco 49ers linebackers Jalen Graham and Tatum Bethune make a point of stopping by K.J. Wright's office to ensure they are aligned with their position coach. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Wright identified one of the young linebackers as a potential...