Steelers' latest miss in free agency adds insult to injury as team continues to be denied by household names
The Pittsburgh Steelers are known as one of the preeminent brands in all of sport. Or at least, that has been the case for a long time. But with multiple names choosing other spots, it's time to start wondering if the Steelers' name still holds the same weight… Kyle Juszczyk goes back to 49ers despite […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers are known as one of the preeminent brands in all of sport.
Or at least, that has been the case for a long time.
But with multiple names choosing other spots, it's time to start wondering if the Steelers' name still holds the same weight…
Kyle Juszczyk goes back to 49ers despite more money from Pittsburgh
Nine-time Pro Bowl fullback Kyle Juszczyk is returning to the San Francisco 49ers on a two-year, $8 million deal, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Saturday.
It had been a brief split, as the 49ers released Juszczyk on Tuesday before bringing him back into the fold. Juszczyk, 33, and the 49ers had nearly parted ways last offseason before he agreed to a pay cut.
A source said Juszczyk took less than what the Pittsburgh Steelers were offering to return to San Francisco.
Nick Wagoner, ESPN
Juszczyk visited with the Steelers on Friday and left without signing, just hours before his return to the bay. And sure, he's played the majority of his career there and it obviously means a lot to keep your family in place.
But this isn't an isolated incident. Justin Fields chose the New York Jets over the Steelers, Aaron Rodgers wants to join the Minnesota Vikings as the Steelers hope they say no, and according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, Sam Darnold was intrigued by the Steelers but choose the Seattle Seahawks instead…
Seattle beat out the Steelers (Darnold really did love the idea of playing for Mike Tomlin and Arthur Smith) for the quarterback’s services with the three-year deal that would give him $37.5 million in Year 1, a $55 million injury guarantee, and early-vesting roster bonuses in of $15 million and $10 million in February 2026 and ’27.
Albert Breer, Sports Illustrated
So it points to a larger problem in Pittsburgh. If it was truly all about the money then players like Juszczyk or Fields wouldn't have left or not signed, and Aaron Rodgers would already be in the Black and Gold.
But whether it's the lack of recent playoff success, resistance to offensive change, or just the evolution of the NFL, the Steelers are trying to spend money, but a lot of the league's talent is saying "thanks but no thanks."
