SANTA CLARA – Kyle Juszczyk and the 49ers are getting back together.
Their breakup lasted only a few days, and after he took a cross-country visit to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the 49ers won Juszczyk back with a two-year, $8 million deal, ESPN first reported Saturday morning.
Tight end George Kittle and running back Christian McCaffrey jubilantly sent welcome-back messages on Instagram to their close friend and the 49ers’ Pro Bowl fullback, whose wife, Kristin, posted a video montage of her husband’s 49ers tenure with these words: “And just like that we’re back home.”
The 49ers have yet to announce Juszczyk’s re-signing, and his agent, Joe Litna, did not immediately return messages from the Bay Area News Group.
“This past week has really made Kyle and I reflect on our past 8 years in the Bay,” Kristin Juszczyk wrote in an Instagram caption. “We grew up here. We turned friends into family here. We won championships here and lost championships here. We feel so incredibly blessed to have called the bay home for the past 8 years. It’s truly been the best years of our lives. Kyle’s curtain isn’t closed just yet and we couldn’t be more happy and emotional to stay home!!! We’re forever Faithful @49ers.”
Juszczyk, who owns a home in south San Jose, was informed of his released Monday, capping the 49ers’ darkest day of this week’s roster overhaul. An NFL-high 15 players have left the 49ers and joined other teams, but Juszczyk is not one of them, even after visiting the Steelers on Thursday.
Juszczyk, 33, took a pay cut last year to return, and the first-time captain made his ninth straight Pro Bowl, dating back to his 2016 finale with the Baltimore Ravens.
Only two starters have left the 49ers’ offense, wide receiver Deebo Samuel (Washington Commanders) and left guard Aaron Banks (Green Bay Packers). Five offensive reserves were signed elsewhere, as did linebacker Dre Greenlaw, cornerback Charvarius Ward, safety Talanoa Hufanga and others in the NFL’s biggest exodus this week.
Juszczyk arrived in the 2017 free agency class that was the 49ers’ first under coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch, the latter of whom balked at outlining Juszczyk’s future when asked a few weeks ago at the NFL scouting combine.
Only three 49ers have made more Pro Bowls than his eight with them: Jerry Rice (12), Leo Nomellini (10) and Ronnie Lott (nine).
Juszczyk’s release officially was announced Tuesday by the 49ers as they saved $3 million against this year’s salary cap with an immediate charge of $3.5 million in dead money.
Kittle hinted at Juszczyk’s return late Friday night with an Instagram story, then “and just like that we’re back home,”
Here is a look at the 49ers’ roster overhaul:
DEPARTURES
Wide receiver Deebo Samuel (Commanders; trade)
Linebacker Dre Greenlaw (Broncos)
Cornerback Charvarius Ward (Colts)
Left guard Aaron Banks (Packers)
Safety Talanoa Hufanga (Broncos)
Defensive end Leonard Floyd (Falcons)
Quarterback Josh Dobbs (Patriots)
Offensive tackle Jaylon Moore (Chiefs)
Running back Elijah Mitchell (Chiefs)
Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (Vikings)
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (Browns)
Cornerback Isaac Yiadom (Saints)
Quarterback Brandon Allen (Titans)
Offensive tackle Charlie Heck (Bucs)
Linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (Giants)
ADDITIONS
Wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (Rams)
Tight end Luke Farrell (Jaguars)
Linebacker Luke Gifford (Titans)
Safety Jason Pinnock (Giants)
Safety Richie Grant (Falcons)
Cornerback Tre Brown (Seahawks)
Quarterback Mac Jones (Jaguars)
Long snapper Jon Weeks (Texans)
RE-SIGNED
Guard Ben Bartch
Running back Patrick Taylor Jr.
Defensive tackle Kevin Givens
Linebacker Curtis Robinson
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
Wide receiver Chris Conley
Tight end Eric Saubert
Defensive tackle Khalil Davis
Linebacker De’Vondre Campbell
Safety Tashaun Gipson
Cornerback Rock Ya-Sin
Cornerback Nick McCloud
Punter Pat O’Donnell
Offensive lineman Jon Feliciano (retired)
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
Running back Jordan Mason (tendered at $5.4 million)