Steelers Were In The Mix But 49ers' Kyle Juszczyk Detailed Why He Said No To Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers hosted fullback Kyle Juszczyk after he quickly became a free agent in the 2025 offseason. The San Francisco 49ers had released him, and Pittsburgh wasted no time bringing him in for a visit. Juszczyk reportedly had a great time during his trip, connecting well with Head Coach Mike Tomlin and Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith, who had a clear vision for using him in the offense.

Despite the positive experience in Pittsburgh, Juszczyk ultimately decided not to sign with the Steelers. The veteran fullback admitted that after just a couple of days on the open market, he realized his heart was still in San Francisco. The 49ers, aware of his value both on and off the field, brought him back with a new deal that allowed him to rejoin the team and continue his career where he felt most at home.

While speaking with Vic Tafur of The Athletic, Juszczyk opened up about his decision. He praised the Steelers' staff and atmosphere, but said he couldn’t shake the feeling that his unfinished business was with the 49ers. His comments suggested that while Pittsburgh was a strong option, the emotional pull and familiarity of San Francisco were simply too strong to pass up.

"It was a different experience," Juszczyk said. "It was a chance to go look at a different team and I felt a lot of love from them. I got excited for a second about what possibly could be, about new beginnings and fitting into a new offense, all that type of stuff."

As Juszczyk stated himself, there was a brief moment when he seriously considered what life could look like in the Steel City. The Steelers haven’t featured a traditional fullback in quite some time, and the idea of Juszczyk stepping into that role sparked genuine excitement among fans. That excitement seemed to resonate with Juszczyk as well, who admitted he was intrigued by the opportunity.

He also spoke highly of his time with the Steelers brass. The coaching staff had a clear vision for how they would use him, and Juszczyk appreciated the thought and effort that went into his visit. For a short while, joining the Steelers felt like a real possibility. 

"And I genuinely enjoyed my time with Arthur Smith and Mike Tomlin so much," Juszczyk said. "I have so much respect for those guys. But at the end of the day, it just wasn’t enough to trump what I had in San Francisco. I just couldn’t pull the plug."

Ultimately, his heart remained in San Francisco. Despite everything the Steelers brass presented, Juszczyk felt the emotional pull of unfinished business with the 49ers. It was never about money or opportunity. It was about where he truly felt he belonged.

Steelers' Offense Would Have Been Very Interesting With Kyle Juszczyk

While it didn’t end up happening, Juszczyk admitted he let his mind wander about what his life could look like playing in the black and gold. The nine-time Pro Bowler is now 34 years old, but both the Steelers and the 49ers clearly felt there was still value left in his game. The 49ers were facing financial restrictions, which is why they released Juszczyk.

After just a few days as a free agent, he signed back with the 49ers on a two-year deal worth $8 million. Juszczyk’s value to the Kyle Shanahan offense was ultimately too valuable to let go, and he also wanted to stay in a familiar place surrounded by his friends. Had the Steelers ended up signing Juszczyk, their offense would have been even more physical and interesting. It definitely would have been exciting to see.

The Steelers ended up making some big and exciting moves. Of course, adding Juszczyk would have been super fun and interesting. Ultimately, they missed out on the 34-year-old fullback, and now Steelers fans know more details about why.

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