Juszczyk admits he was ‘hurt’ by 49ers’ surprise pay cut proposal

STATELINE, Nev. - Fullback Kyle Juszczyk had just completed his seventh season with the 49ers. It was also his seventh Pro Bowl campaign with the 49ers. Juszczyk did not show any signs of dropping off. So that's why it was a bit of a jolt for him when 49ers general manager John Lynch proposed Juszczyk accept a pay cut in order to remain on the team for the 2024 NFL season. "Honestly, it hurt when John came to me and asked," Juszczyk said. "I wasn't necessarily expecting it. "It kind of hurts your ego and hurts your heart a little bit. I understand that it's a business, but I do feel like I'm as valuable as what I was expected to get paid." With so many other highly paid players on the team — and several others in line for big pay days — the 49ers' front office decided to make some cost-cutting moves this offseason. Defensive tackle Arik Armstead declined San Francisco's proposal for him to lower his contract offer. He was released and signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars to continue his career. A similar outcome with Juszczyk was avoided. "There definitely was a process that we had to go through and I had to come to terms with it," Juszczyk said. "At the end of the day,...