Kyle Juszczyk compared waking up on the first day of 2021 NFL free agency to Christmas morning.
Like the rest of the world, Juszczyk opened his eyes early Wednesday morning to news that the 49ers had come to an agreement with Trent Williams, and was elated. Now, with one of the most important pieces of the offense committed to returning by his side for several years to come, let’s just say “Juice” is juiced.
The five-time Pro Bowl fullback was deemed an “offensive weapon” by general manager John Lynch when he received his first contract with the 49ers back in 2017. In his media availability following re-signing with the club for an additional five years, the fullback expressed excitement for what the eight-time Pro Bowl left tackle can bring to the game.
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SIGN UP HERE “Trent is a game-changer,” Juszczyk said. “He is somebody that teams have to scheme around. They have to change what they are doing because he is out there. He’s a guy that we can just completely count on knowing he is going to get the job done and then some.
“There’s no amount of money, you can’t pay too much for a guy like that.”
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Williams has been known to overpower his opponents on the field. Juszczyk, also a skilled blocker in his own right, marvels at how powerful the 10-year veteran has been on the field. The athletic freakishness that Williams has can be seen in regularity on game film.
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“It’s not just in highlights, it’s his ability to move another man,” Juszczyk said. “Most people, when you’re blocking somebody, it’s pretty much a stalemate or maybe you’re moving him back a foot or two.
“This guy is actually moving defensive linemen into the laps of linebackers, into the secondary, and that’s just something that doesn’t really happen in the NFL. You see that in high school and college.”
The 49ers also agreed to terms with Alex Mack, who previously played under Kyle Shanahan with both the Cleveland Browns and the Atlanta Falcons. Juszczyk is familiar with the veteran center from playing together at the Pro Bowl and sees him as a perfect fit to take the place of Weston Richburg, who recently underwent hip surgery.
“Those are guys that really make a difference and put you over the top,” Juszczyk said. “They put you into that championship caliber, not just a good team but a great team.”
Now with the offensive line mostly set and additional blockers in Juszczyk and George Kittle chomping at the bit to play, Shanahan's offensive scheming really can begin.
