SF 49ers: 5 players who are in line for massive paydays in 2021

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Kyle Juszczyk #44 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

No. 3: SF 49ers Fullback Kyle Juszczyk

2020 Contract Value: $7,500,000

There’s an argument the Niners overpaid fullback Kyle Juszczyk when they inked him to that lucrative four-year, $21 million free-agent deal back in 2017, which was a record-setter for his position and quite the outlier in comparison to other fullbacks’ deals on the market.

Yet the counterargument is it’s money spent well, especially considering Juszczyk’s importance to San Francisco’s offense.

Juszczyk, who was just named to the Pro Bowl for the fifth consecutive year, has that added to his accolade chart. And at 29 years old, there’s still plenty of good years left in his body, meaning he’d be wise to explore what options might be out there.

Sounds like he’s already doing this, at least according to Juszczyk’s comments to KNBR 680 (h/t Niners Nation):

"I would just say that I absolutely loved my time here with the Niners. It’s been absolutely phenomenal. I really would love to continue here, but my economics degree would tell me that it would be smart to weigh my options, and see what’s out there, and see what kind of opportunities I do have for my family, and that sort of thing. Kyle and I have already had just brief informal discussions about a possible return. I’m absolutely open to that and would love that because I love everything that we’ve built here, and it’s been so cool to be a part of that, really, from the very beginning when Kyle and John got here, a complete overhaul. To be a part of that first original free-agency class that they brought in has been really cool, and I would love to continue that."

Perhaps San Francisco backloads an upcoming contract, just like it did with Juszczyk’s original one. Yet it’s entirely possible the fullback counters, pushing the SF 49ers to offer more money up front instead of towards the end of a would-be deal.

Plus, he knows his importance in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense and can use that as leverage, too.

Either way, if Juszczyk does return, he likely won’t come cheap.