Kyle Juszczyk‘s time with the 49ers came to an end on Monday. The veteran could have a limited market based on the number of teams which use a fullback on a permanent basis, but he has quickly managed to line up a visit.
Juszczyk will meet with the Steelers today, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. The nine-time Pro Bowler began his career in the AFC North, playing out his rookie contract with the Ravens. A return to Baltimore will not be in order for 2025, though, considering the team recently re-signed Patrick Ricard.
At times during his eight-year run in San Francisco, Juszczyk’s future was a talking point. A pay cut was worked out last offseason to allow him to remain with the 49ers, and the 33-year-old hoped for his tenure to continue into 2025. Juszczyk instead found himself as one of many veterans who have been released or traded by San Francisco, a team which has also seen several key players depart in free agency this week.
The Steelers used Derek Watt as a fullback up to 2022. Since that time, they have turned to Connor Heyward to operate in a hybrid role including fullback duties. One year remains on his rookie contract, but adding an established veteran like Juszczyk would allow for Heyward to focus on operating as a backup tight end. Pittsburgh entered Thursday with over $46MM in cap space, so room exists for what would be a modest fullback commitment.
The Broncos have used Michael Burton as a fullback for the past two years, and he is a pending free agent. Denver could theoretically be among the teams interested in Juszczyk as a result, but Luca Evans of the Denver Post reports no contact has been made yet. If today’s Steelers visits does not produce an agreement for the Harvard product, his list of suitors could be rather short.
Juszczyk has received a Pro Bow nod every year since 2016, and in addition to his run blocking prowess he has averaged 240 receiving yards per year in his career (which has included first-team All-Pro honors in 2023 and a second-team nod last year). If he does not land with the Steelers, he will turn his attention elsewhere as the opening stages of free agency wind down.