SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The general manager of the San Francisco 49ers, John Lynch, caused this on Saturday night, but it only became official on Sunday: the Niners are keeping defender Kyle Juszczyk.
In order to sign again with Juszczyk before the negotiation window opens on Monday, the Niners and their versatile quarterback agreed to a $ 27 million five-year deal that includes a guaranteed $ 10 million, a source said. ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Sunday night.
Joe Linta, Juszczyk’s agent, confirmed that a five-year agreement was contacted via Twitter.
The deal with Juszczyk comes less than 24 hours after Lynch sent a cryptic tweet on Sunday night that said, “I’m thirsty. Niners fans, do you want a little ‘Juice?'” Lynch’s tweet was a clear reference Juszczyk, which goes by the nickname “Juice” and has become a fan favorite in the Bay Area and in the Niners locker room.
“He is, in my opinion, one of one,” said George Kittle at the end of the season. “I don’t know if anyone does the things he does on the football field. I also think he is very little appreciated. But the people who watch football, the people who understand football, realize how important Juice is.”
Juszczyk also confirmed the five-year deal, thanking the organization on social media on Sunday night.
San Francisco has more than 20 players set to become unrestricted free agents and prioritized about half a dozen of them at the start of the new league year. Keeping Juszczyk allows 49ers to continue working towards compromises with their other priorities, including left tackle Trent Williams and cornerbacks K’Waun Williams and Jason Verrett.
The 49ers initially signed a four-year, $ 21 million deal with Juszczyk in 2017, a contract that easily outperformed any previous deal by a fullback. In four seasons since then, Juszczyk’s 102 receptions for 1,080 yards and seven touchdowns have surpassed 43 receptions, 399 yards and four scores from the next closest quarterback in each of these categories.
Juszczyk’s versatility has become a focal point of Shanahan’s attack, which emphasizes making things look similar in terms of personnel and alignment, but adding wrinkles that affect defense. Juszczyk incorporated this by aligning in the slot (9.3% of his snaps), outside the receiver (7.2%), tight end inline (11.5%) and in the backfield (72%).
Coach Kyle Shanahan’s attack has employed a defender more than any team in the league since acquiring Juszczyk and has had much more success with him on the pitch.
With two running backs on the field, the 49ers have an average of 5.99 yards per move (second in the NFL), 4.49 yards per run (fifth) and 8.65 yards per pass (third). With one or no running backs on the field, those numbers drop to 5.45 (20º), 4.26 (23º) and 6.48 (19º).