The San Francisco 49ers are one of the few teams in the NFL that employs a full-time fullback, and they use him quite bit. In fact, last year, Kyle Juszczyk was on the field for 45% of the team’s offensive snaps, as he lined up all over the field.
While on offense, Juszczyk spent 188 snaps as an in-line tight end, 167 in the backfield, 148 in the slot, 55 out wide and one under center, according to Pro Football Focus.
Despite spending more time lining up at a position other than fullback, that’s still how Juszczyk is viewed when it comes time for contract negotiations, and he’s not happy about it.
“Am I a tight end? Am I not a tight end? I don’t know. That’s a great question,” Juszczyk recently told NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco. “Unfortunately, I think I’m a tight end and not a tight end at all the wrong times. I’m a fullback when it comes to contract negotiations, which hurts, but then I’m a tight end on game day.”
Juszczyk is one of the best fullbacks in NFL history, making 10 Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams in 13 seasons thus far, while catching 305 passes for 2,877 yards and 20 touchdowns and rushing for 234 yards and another six scores.
The 35-year-old signed a two-year, $8 million extension with the 49ers last March. That’s the same deal that 49ers backup tight end Jake Tonges received this offseason. While Juszczyk is nearing the end of his time in the NFL, he’s still more impactful for San Francisco in 2026, even if Tonges starts until George Kittle is healthy.
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