- Programming note: The American Century Championship will air Friday, July 11, from 1-3 p.m. PT on Peacock, and again from 5-7 p.m. PT on GOLF Channel. Saturday, July 12 and Sunday, July 13, the tournament will air locally on NBC Bay Area (KNTV) from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. PT.
STATELINE, Nev. — Fullback Kyle Juszczyk decided he was not going to allow a few bad days to overshadow eight Pro Bowl seasons.
The 49ers released Juszczyk on March 11 as part of the organization’s plan to make salary-cap cuts before the start of the new NFL league year.
It appeared as if Juszczyk’s time with the 49ers had come to an unceremonious end.
“It was like a living funeral to see how many people reached out to me when I was released,” Juszczyk told NBC Sports Bay Area at the American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course.
“And the things that they said, it really meant so, so much.”
Juszczyk received an abundance of flattering messages after he was released. The period in which he was in limbo gave him plenty of time to reflect.
The 12-year NFL veteran was chosen to his ninth consecutive Pro Bowl last season, earning the recognition in each of his eight years with the 49ers.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has been selected to 10 consecutive Pro Bowls; he is the only active NFL player with more consecutive Pro Bowl nods than Juszczyk.
Only Pro Football Hall of Famers Jerry Rice (12), Leo Nomellini (10) and Ronnie Lott (9) have been selected to more Pro Bowls as members of the 49ers.
Juszczyk, 34, wearing a “Bring the Juice” hat inspired by his nickname, said he thought about his status in 49ers history while he was a free agent.
He visited with the Pittsburgh Steelers while the door remained open for him to return to — or remain with — the 49ers.
“It was a really unique situation to be able to come back after going through what was three of the worst days of my life,” Juszczyk said. “So it was a tough, tough process.
“But to get the chance to come back, to be home, to be with all those people that love me, that I love — I’m grateful for it.”
Ultimately, he determined there was no place he would rather continue his career.
While Juszczyk contemplated playing elsewhere in 2025, he ended up agreeing to a deal with the 49ers featuring two seasons of guarantees totaling $7 million. There does not figure to be a repeat of the drama next offseason.
“The Bay Area is my home,” Juszczyk said. “I absolutely love our team. I love our coaches. I love our facility. And for a second there, a fresh start was enticing. Any time a team releases you, asks you to take a pay cut, that type of thing, the natural instinct is a small part of you wants to stick it to them.
“But I got over that quickly. And I saw just how good we really do have it, and I just wasn’t ready to leave it. I’m so excited for what this team can do — this year and in the coming years. So I want to be a part of that.”
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