The NFL has hit 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk with a pair of fines totaling just over $20,000 for illegal use of the helmet during San Francisco’s hard-fought playoff win over the Eagles. Each fine came in at $10,144, and both stemmed from plays the league flagged as unnecessary roughness - specifically, helmet-first contact.
For a guy who went the entire regular season without a fine, this double-dip is a notable shift. Juszczyk, known more for his versatility and football IQ than for drawing flags, now finds himself lighter in the wallet after a game that was as physical as it was pivotal.
Let’s break down the two plays that drew the league’s attention.
The first came in the second quarter. Juszczyk was the lead blocker on a 3-yard run by Christian McCaffrey around the right edge.
As McCaffrey turned the corner, Juszczyk squared up and delivered a hit that appeared to involve forcible helmet-to-helmet contact with Eagles defensive end Jaelan Phillips. It was a classic fullback moment - downhill, aggressive, and right on the edge of legal.
The league, clearly, thought he crossed that line.
The second fine came on a much bigger play - and one with real implications in the flow of the game. Late in the fourth quarter, Juszczyk lowered his head and bulldozed Philadelphia safety Reed Blankenship at the tail end of a 27-yard gain. That play helped set up a go-ahead touchdown - a 29-yard strike from Jauan Jennings to McCaffrey - and was a turning point in the 49ers’ 23-19 win.
While the fines sting, they come in the context of playoff pay bumps. Every 49ers player earned $53,500 for the wild-card round win.
With the team advancing to face the Seahawks in the divisional round, each player’s check rises to $58,500. That doesn’t erase the fines, but it does soften the blow.
For Juszczyk, a veteran leader and one of the few fullbacks still making a major impact in today’s NFL, these fines are a reminder of how narrow the margin is between physical football and flagged football - especially in the postseason spotlight. His role in the offense isn’t flashy, but it’s vital. He’s the guy clearing paths, setting tones, and occasionally, drawing the league’s ire when the hits get too heavy.
As the 49ers prep for Seattle, Juszczyk’s physicality will remain a key piece of the puzzle. But with the league watching closely, don’t be surprised if there’s a little more caution in how he delivers those big blocks.