SANTA CLARA — Kyle Juszczyk’s days on the unemployment line may not last much longer.
Juszczyk, released by the 49ers after eight seasons, is visiting the Pittsburgh Steelers, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported.
The 49ers informed Juszczyk on Monday he wasn’t being brought back for the final year of his contract at a $4.1 million salary. Last spring, Juszczyk agreed to a pay cut and produced his ninth straight Pro Bowl season, having also been honored in 2017 to cap his four-year stint with the Baltimore Ravens.
If Juszczyk joins the Steelers, he’ll be the 14th player to leave the 49ers this week for a new employer, including Thursday’s deals sending backup quarterback Brandon Allen to the Tennessee Titans and cornerback Isaac Yiadom to the New Orleans Saints.
The 49ers have not filled those vacancies with established starters and instead made seven budget-conscious acquisitions for backups, including Wednesday night’s deal for quarterback Mac Jones
One of Juszczyk’s top moments in a 49ers uniform was an open-field stiff-arm that upended Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick in a 2019 game at Levi’s Stadium.
Juszczyk, who turns 34 next month, grew up in Ohio about a two-hour drive from Pittsburgh. His wife Kristin posted an Instagram story Wednesday of the couple on a plane, presumably to Pittsburgh; her career as a fashion designer has skyrocketed in recent years to the point she’s partnered with the NFL to launch the Off Season brand.
QB ALLEN ON MOVE
Allen’s two-season tenure with the 49ers is done, as reflected earlier by Wednesday’s acquisition of Jones to back up Purdy. A one-year deal brought Allen to the Titans and coach Brian Callahan, a De La Salle High product who was Allen’s offensive coordinator when they previously were with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Allen served as the third-string quarterback behind Purdy and Sam Darnold in 2023, and he was pressed into service last season to start a Nov. 24 loss at Green Bay (17-of-29, 199 yards, one touchdown, one interception, one lost fumble).
The 49ers’ quarterback depth chart at it stands now: Purdy, Jones and Tanner Mordecai. Allen and Purdy share an agent, Kyle Strongin, who’s been negotiating with the 49ers on a contract extension for the former.
YIADOM RETURNS TO SAINTS
Cornerback Isaac Yiadom is returning to the New Orleans Saints on a three-year deal, his agency at Vayner Sports announced. It is a $9 million deal with $4.9 million guaranteed and a maximum value of $10.5 million, according to NFL Network.
Yiadom, a seven-year veteran, had a career-best season with the 2023 Saints (14 passes defended, one interception) and he’ll return there to play under new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, who spent last season as a 49ers defensive assistant and also worked with Yiadom on the 2019 Denver Broncos.
Last season, Yiadom played 46% of the defensive snaps while starting five games and appearing in all 17. He allowed a 58.5% completion rate on targets (24-of-41, 312 yards) and two touchdowns. HIs playing time diminished as the 49ers turned more to rookie Renardo Green behind starters Deommodore Lenoir and Charvarius Ward, the latter of whom has signed with the Indianapolis Colts.
from The Mercury News https://ift.tt/1KhCvmc
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