The 49ers sound like they want to retain kicker Robbie Gould‘s services, but it might not be easy. Matt Barrows of The Athletic writes that the two sides aren’t close to a deal, and a new contract isn’t imminent.
In fact, Gould might be content to test free agency. The 36-year-old recently talked to Dan Pompei of The Athletic, and the veteran strongly hinted that he’d be interested in returning to his former team, the Bears. Chicago could be seeking a new kicker following Cody Parkey‘s underwhelming performance this past season, and Gould has a natural connection to the organization after having spent the first 11 years of his career with the team.
Of course, the 49ers still have plenty of leverage. The team could choose to franchise the kicker, and that decision wouldn’t break the bank; last year’s kicker value was around $4.9MM. The team could also choose to sign Gould to a longer-term deal, and general manager John Lynch indicated that they’d be willing to spend for the veteran.
“He’s been incredibly clutch for us,” Lynch told Barrows. “And we’d like to reward him for that.”
After one season with the Giants, Gould signed a two-year deal with San Francisco back in 2017. In his two seasons with the team, the kicker has connected on 72 of his 75 field goal attempts in 32 games. Gould has also converted 55 of his 59 extra point attempts.
It’ll cost you bears, but if you want a sure fire kicker again, sign this guy
The Bears were a kicker away from being 14-2 and home field in the playoffs. Then the Parkey choke in the first round. Who knows with Gould kicking they might have been playing tomorrow. So don’t chance it next year just sign him
Bears aren’t on the level of the Rams or Saints, don’t kid yourself.
They beat destroyed the rams and would put up a great fight against the saints
The bears*
Playoffs are different buckets. Even with your defense, the Bears couldn’t compete offensively.
They destoryed them on a freezing cold night in Chicago.
…And the premise here states that the playoff rematch wouldve been in Chicago, on a freezing night.
Exactly
Nothing like ifs and buts…
That kind of D has the ability to beat any team in the league!
They schooled the Rams on national TV
The Bears along with the Ravens were supposedly “the team no one wants to face in the playoffs” and they both went 1 and done. Now the excuses role in
I can understand teams not wanting to face Chicago (first overall in combined scoring efficiency and best turnover ratio) but what was special about the Ravens?
The Bears offense got stifled by an average Eaglea defense. The Bears defense gave up a go-ahead TD drive in the final minute the game. Their punter shanked a kick to give the Eagles a short field for their go-ahead score.
And still, if their kicker hadn’t failed on a routine kick, they still wouldve won that game. That’s not an excuse. It’s a fact. We all have eyes. We all watched it happen.
Well I don’t if it’s as simple as “just sign him” 9ers have rights to negotiate before the Bears so and they’ll likely tag him if he doesn’t agree to sign so don’t get your hopes up.
Dude the Bears man handled the Rams..
No way they can let this guy walk in free agency. Kickers are key to success in the nfl and we’ve seen some poor play from kickers the last couple of seasons. Tag this guy if he doesn’t want to sign lol
It always amazes me when teams don’t want to pay kickers a few extra million and then the decision comes back to bite them. What’s the definition of insanity?
“What’s the definition of insanity?”
The Bucs can answer that one. They used a 2nd round pick on a worthless kicker.
Is SF that close to a title team the kicker was the difference? And Chicago did pony up for a kicker, how did that work out for them?
Don’t blow this Lynch.
Gould been a solid and mostly consistent kicker for years, and I’ve also had the pleasure of meeting him once and found him to be very nice and down to earth, so I hope he cashes in and continues to succeed.