NFL News: Kyle Juszczyk Signs 49ers Contract to Return After Release in Free Agency

After an offseason that has seen several key players leave in free agency, the San Francisco 49ers are bringing back Kyle Juszczyk on a new deal.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Juszczyk is returning to the 49ers after agreeing to a two-year, $8 million contract. Juszczyk confirmed his return to the team by posting a Wolf of Wall Street meme on social media:

Juszczyk was originally released by the 49ers on Tuesday in a move that saved the team $2.9 million against the cap.

49ers tight end George Kittle has gone through it this offseason, initially posting a heartbroken emoji when Juszczyk got released and now posting a picture of the two together upon learning of his return.

There had been indications for some time that Juszczyk might not be back with San Francisco in 2025. The team reworked his contract last offseason.

Speaking to NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco in July, Juszczyk admitted to feeling "hurt" when 49ers general manager John Lynch asked him to take a pay cut.

"Honestly, it hurt when John came to me and asked," Juszczyk said. “I wasn't necessarily expecting it. It kind of hurts your ego and hurts your heart a little bit. I understand that it's a business, but I do feel like I'm as valuable as what I was expected to get paid."

Following the 49ers' final game of the 2024 season, Juszczyk told reporters he hoped to remain with the team but had no plans to retire.

"We're going to find out, but I know I'm not done. I'm definitely not done playing," he said. "I've seen zero regression. I think especially, I mean, you can turn on the last two games and please show me where I've regressed, so I have no plans of stopping."

When Juszczyk was initially released, it seemed like he was going to join the long list of notable players who left the 49ers this offseason. That group includes Deebo Samuel Sr., Dre Greenlaw, Talanoa Hufanga, Charvarius Ward, Aaron Banks and Javon Hargrave.

Keeping Juszczyk allows the 49ers to maintain more continuity on offense, especially with Samuel no longer on the roster. He has been on the team throughout Kyle Shanahan's entire tenure as head coach dating back to 2017.

There's still a lot of work for Lynch and Shanahan to do this offseason replacing all of the players they've lost, but getting Juszczyk back should make things easier for Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey in 2025.