The San Francisco 49ers roster in 2025 will be vastly different than fans are used to. The 49ers have seen the likes of Aaron Banks, Talanoa Hufanga, Elijah Mitchell, Charvarius Ward, Isaac Yiadom, and Dre Greenlaw sign elsewhere.
They also released Javon Hargrave and Leonard Floyd. It's never easy to see this many guys go, but San Francisco's George Kittle was most hurt when Kyle Juszczyk was let go.
Kittle's wife Claire posted on Instagram, with the caption, "Just rip out our hearts why don't you." The picture featured George, Claire, Kyle, and his wife, Kristin.
George then posted a picture of him and Kyle, with the caption, "Day one juice." with a broken heart emoji.
Heartbreaking: George Kittle and his wife Claire are devastated after the 49ers released their best friend Kyle Juszczyk:
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 11, 2025
“Just rip out our hearts why don’t you” 😞💔 pic.twitter.com/msXTc1cPWb
George Kittle reacts to the #49ers release of FB Kyle Juszczyk 💔 pic.twitter.com/lC6Fjiwwcx
— Alex Tran (@nineralex) March 11, 2025
George Kittle is Hurt That Kyle Juszczyk Was Released
These two guys have been teammates for the past eight seasons and have developed a great friendship. They were constantly seen together, and their wives usually sat next to each other during 49er games.
It's a tough pill to swallow for Kittle, but that's the nature of the business. Juszczyk entered the league as a fourth-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens before signing with the 49ers in 2017.
The Ohio native was due to count $6.4 million against the 2025 salary cap, but with him getting released, San Francisco will save $2.9 million while getting hit with a $3.5 million dead cap hit.
During Juszczyk's tenure with the 49ers, he was an all-around weapon for them. He excelled as a run-blocker while using his athleticism as a pass-catcher at times. He made the Pro Bowl in all eight seasons with San Francisco with two All-Pro nods (2023 & 2024). The Harvard product was also named a team captain for the 2024 season.
It's a new era in the Bay but this move is one that certainly stings for Kittle.