SANTA CLARA — Kyle Juszczyk’s “short stint” in free agency last week was due to the 49ers’ “financial restrictions,” he referenced Tuesday in a SiriusXM NFL Radio.
Released a week ago, Juszczyk circled back Saturday to the 49ers on a two-year, $8 million deal after testing the market and visiting the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The 49ers have spent the past week razing their roster: an NFL-high 15 of their former players already have signed elsewhere, while none of the Niners’ modest acquisitions include a projected starter.
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Juszczyk said he had discussions with the 49ers throughout the offseason and was made aware of a potential release or a pay cut for a second straight year. As free agency approached last week, the 49ers’ longest-tenured player thought he might be safe and heading into a ninth season with them.
“Just the optimist in me started telling myself that, ‘Man, I don’t think we’re gonna have to do (contract revision or release). It’s getting close to the actual free agency period. I haven’t heard too much. Things are kind of looking good,’ ” Juszczyk told SiriusXM NFL Radio “But then they finally, a couple days before that, were like, ‘Yeah, this is a real thing, the financial restrictions we’re under are a real thing.’
“And they kind of put it in my court, whether I wanted to be released or if we wanted to continue to try and negotiate a pay cut. But I think, like anybody, it’s good to see what your market is.”
The 49ers have yet to announce Juszczyk’s deal, and neither he nor any other free agent acquisition has been made available to local media. His previous contract counts $3.5 million against this year’s salary cap, according to OverTheCap.com.
Juszczyk said he drew interest from multiple teams, and The Athletic identified those as the Steelers, the Las Vegas Raiders and the Detroit Lions. He has made the Pro Bowl the past nine seasons, including in 2016 to conclude his four-year tenure with the Baltimore Ravens. He was part of the 49ers’ initial free agency class in 2017 under coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch.
A league source confirmed Saturday morning that Juszczyk wasn’t leaving, after all.
“It was too much to leave home. I wanted to be a Niner, and we were able to get to a number that I was comfortable with,” Juszczyk said. “And then we were able to make the deal, and I couldn’t be happier. And I’m trying not to look back at all. I’m just happy to be there and know I’m locked in for two more years.”
ANOTHER ADDITION
Sirian Neal, a special-teams ace and seven-year veteran, is expected to sign a two-year deal, as NFL Network first reported. Neal played last year with the Miami Dolphins after six seasons with the Buffalo Bills.
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Other additions over the past week: Quarterback Mac Jones (Jaguars), wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (Rams), tight end Luke Farrell (Jaguars), cornerback Tre Brown (Seahawks), long snapper Jon Weeks (Texans), and linebacker Luke Gifford (Titans), safeties Jason Pinnock (Giants) and Richie Grant (Falcons).
Exiting the 49ers and finding new teams: Wide receiver Deebo Samuel (Commanders; trade); linebackers Dre Greenlaw (Broncos) and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (Giants); cornerbacks Charvarius Ward (Colts) and Isaac Yiadom (Saints); left guard Aaron Banks (Packers), safety Talanoa Hufanga (Broncos); defensive end Leonard Floyd (Falcons); quarterbacks Josh Dobbs (Patriots) and Brandon Allen (Titans); offensive tackle Jaylon Moore (Chiefs), running backs Elijah Mitchell (Chiefs) and Jordan Mason (Vikings; trade); defensive tackles Javon Hargrave (Vikings) and Maliek Collins (Browns); and, offensive tackle Charlie Heck (Bucs).
