There doesn’t seem to be a definitive end in sight to the Robbie Gould-49ers standoff. The most recent development came earlier this month, as we learned the veteran kicker would skip the team’s mandatory minicamp as he continues to push for a trade. The 36-year-old recently clarified his trade demand to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area.
“It’s a complicated situation,” Gould said. “The way I’ve kind of approached it is, I want to spend time with my family. And I let my agent handle it, and if anything comes up that I have to make a decision or be in the know, he’ll call me and let me know. But right now there’s nothing to really know, and I’m just enjoying being home and being in Chicago.
“I’m at a point in my career where my family is what’s going to dictate the decisions that I make.”
To review: Gould signed a two-year, $4MM contract with San Francisco back in 2017, and he proceeded to connect on 72 of his 75 field goal attempts (96-percent) and 55 of his 59 extra point attempts (93.2-percent) in 32 games. With the veteran facing free agency, the 49ers slapped him with the franchise tag back in February, meaning Gould would be in line to earn about $5MM in 2019. However, we learned soon after that Gould wanted out of San Francisco, a request that the 49ers have denied.
The 49ers are still focused on signing Gould to a multiyear extension, and 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan didn’t sound all that concerned when discussing the possibility of the kicker holding out until Week 1. Therefore, it could be another couple of months until there’s any type of resolution.
If he wanted to be home and close to his family in Chicago, why sign the effing two year deal to begin with??
Because that was not a factor back then. Now, when he is supposed to be a free agent, it is a factor. And he wants to play close to his family
We know kickers aren’t considered to be the sharpest knives in the drawer but wouldn’t the simple solution be to move the family to the west coast where winters are much easier to (parden the pun) bear.
Not if home to your family is Chicago
Doesn’t make sense when it’s a 1 year deal and the team doesn’t want to offer a long term contract.
They offered him a long term contract, he didn’t like it
don’t know what they offered. Doubt it was very much. Otherwise he would have signed it. Robbie wants to go back to Chicago, the Niners don’t want him to go there hence the tag. Pretty sure that was before they signed another kicker.
I would have suggested that he didn’t want to deal with the high taxes of S.F and California, but he’s already in Chicago, so somewhat moot.
It only counts against home games or games played in Cal. He wants to go back to Chicago right now before the Bears find a kicker.
He signed a two year deal and honored the 2 years. They slapped the franchise tag on him basically holding him hostage. Reading is a skill, same as kicking.
They offered him a long term contract, he didn’t agree to it so…
Doesn’t mean he has to sign it. And yes, they’re holding him hostage.
I’ve never seen some one refer to being given millions to kick a ball as holding him hostage. I hate players who can’t man up and just play. Teams have rights like this for a reason. Competitive balance is huge. If Chicago finished last in the division last year I wonder if he’d still want to play there lol
Your happy supporting billionaires though. By providing them with stadiums on your tax dollars.
He will sign. He has until week 10 to do so. I hope he waits until the last instant.
Just trade him. He’s 36 and doesn’t want to play for you. May get a decent pick or decent player from the Bears, last I heard they need a good kicker.
You might get the backup punter. Not many teams are going to trade for a 36 year old kicker.
Adam Vinatieri disagrees. It’s very possible “Good as” Gould has 5-7 years left in the tank.
It’s very possible that he sucks too. Teams will sign him for nothing not trade for him. Especially not when it would cost them multiple first round picks.
Not really.
It wouldn’t cost them multiple 1st rounders to trade for him. That’d be if they signed him. It would probably cost a late round pick. He’d have to sign in order to be traded (I.e. Frank Clark sign and trade)
49ers won’t do that. Not until he signs and other teams will not wait. A 36 year old kicker is worth a conditional 7th round pick. Not going to happen. Teams don’t value kickers that much.
In any way, he pretty much can’t be traded after the 15th of next month. No king term contracts after that no team going to trade for a 1 year contract.
just an idea….why not move the family to the bay area???
Or maybe he just hates the California as a whole?
Californians can never understand there are people who don’t want to live in California.
Robbie Gould must realize that the 49ers organization as a whole is moving in the wrong direction and wants to abandon ship before it capsizes.
How do you figure?
A kicker?
Why not just let him show up 2 days a week (game day and day before). If he’s that good, it won’t matter.
I’m starting to think that when a 36 yr old kicker on a 4-12 team can draw more than 20 comments, it’s time to shorten the off-season.
Lmao
lol Smartest thing you’ve said in a long time Crossedeyed!
C’mon Gould, why ruin a good thing going. You had one of the greatest placekicking years ever for a kicker; you’re going to get paid top dollar for it. Serve out the contract and keep the mojo going. There are much less worthy teams that dont deserve your services. Your “home team Bears” had their chance and blew it. Stick it out with the Niners and keep that solid kick going.