The San Francisco 49ers are airing their financial laundry, and it’s definitely not a sparkling white. After shedding a mountain of salary through trades and free agency this offseason, the team is now grappling with some serious money woes.

Enter Kyle Juszczyk, the veteran fullback who bided his time as a free agent but has now made his triumphant return to the 49ers. On SiriusXM NFL Radio, Juszczyk opened up about the discussions he had with the team prior to his release, and let’s just say, it wasn’t all roses and rainbows.

“I mean, it felt like a lifetime,” he laughed, referring to his brief stint as a free agent. He recounted how talks of possible pay cuts kept popping up during the offseason. “Just as things went on, my optimistic side told me, ‘Hey, looks like things are coming together!’ But then they hit me with the reality check: ‘Yeah, these financial restrictions are real’”.

Surprise! In a world where every year seems to come with its own financial cliffhanger, this offseason was no different for Juszczyk and the 49ers. After his release, he even took a visit to the Pittsburgh Steelers, because, why not test the waters when you’re swimming in uncertainty?

But despite flirtations with other teams, home is where the heart (and the paycheck) is. “I think it was too much to leave home, I wanted to be a Niner,” said Juszczyk, highlighting how navigating the tumult of free agency is all about what fits best for your family. And in a turn of events that will leave fans grinning, he finally struck a deal that satisfied both sides.

Now, with his two-year contract in hand, he’s all set for the 2025 season. But let’s be real; the 49ers have floated the idea of pay cuts in back-to-back seasons, so don’t be surprised if this dance resumes next offseason. For now, Juszczyk is back and ready to hit the field, even if the team’s financial spectacle is a recurring theme.

San Francisco fans, rejoice! At least for this season, your fullback is back, even if the money game is still a little dicey.