On Saturday morning, it was reported that the San Francisco 49ers are re-signing fullback Kyle Juszczyk after releasing him on Tuesday. Juszczyk, 33, agreed to a two-year, $8 million deal and is the 49ers’ longest-tenured player. He joined the team as a free agent in 2017 and was one of the first signings by Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch.

In 2024, the 49ers asked the Pro Bowl fullback to take a pay cut. Juszczyk agreed to take less money to stay in San Francisco. According to one source, the 49ers again asked the nine-time Pro Bowler to take a pay cut this offseason. Juszczyk declined, but left with the understanding that the offer would stay on the table if he didn’t find what he was looking for.

Juszczyk, who was originally drafted by the Baltimore Ravens, visited the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday. According to Matt Barrows of The Athletic, the Steelers weren’t the only team interested in the fullback. Barrows posted on X, “Pete Carroll and Mike Tomlin were interested in Kyle Juszczyk. But the fact that the 49ers won out underscores how much they still value the fullback position…and Juszczyk.”

Pete Carroll and Mike Tomlin were interested in Kyle Juszczyk. But the fact that the 49ers won out underscores how much they still value the fullback position … and Juszczyk.https://t.co/Z4Pe6jo7ZB

— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) March 15, 2025

Barrows followed that post with another that read, “Notable that two defensive-minded head coaches who have faced Juszczyk a lot (Tomlin when Juszczyk was with Baltimore) were interested/saw the value in him.” Carroll, of course, faced Juszczyk twice each year while coaching the Seattle Seahawks.

Notable that two defensive-minded head coaches who have faced Juszczyk a lot (Tomlin when Juszczyk was with Baltimore) were interested/saw the value in him. … https://t.co/hOHtBec1a1

— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) March 15, 2025

In the end, Juszczyk chose to return to the 49ers to accept the deal San Francisco reportedly offered before they cut him. Per Nick Wagoner of ESPN, a source said, “Juszczyk took less than what the Pittsburgh Steelers were offering to return to San Francisco.” Clearly, Juszczyk and his wife, Kristin, decided that staying with the 49ers was more important than being paid more to play elsewhere.

Juszczyk is close with his teammates, especially All-Pro tight end George Kittle. And the players’ wives are close, as well. So it’s understandable that the Juszczyks would choose to stay put. As Juszczyk’s wife wrote on Instagram, “We turned friends into family here.”

Sometimes, relationships are more valuable than money.