San Francisco 49ers Could Have Saved Millions by Reuniting with a Different Kicker The San Francisco 49ers made their first major offseason move by re-signing kicker Eddy Pineiro to a four-year contract extension. The decision aimed to stabilize a position that had been plagued by inconsistency during the Jake Moody era. However, the team may have missed an opportunity to save significant financial resources by instead reuniting with a different kicker, such as Matt Gay, who proved to be a reliable and cost-effective option. Gay, who joined the 49ers last season when Pineiro suffered a hamstring injury, performed admirably in the limited games he played. He converted all four of his field-goal attempts and all three extra points, showcasing his reliability. Despite his strong showing, Gay’s contract with the 49ers was contingent on his previous struggles with the Washington Commanders, where he missed two field goals in a critical game overseas. The 49ers were able to sign him due to his poor performance with Washington, where he made just 13 of his 19 field-goal attempts. While Gay’s 2023 season with the Commanders was subpar, his career history includes a Pro Bowl appearance with the Los Angeles Rams and solid contributions with the Indianapolis Colts. These experiences highlight his status as a proven veteran kicker. In contrast, Pineiro’s career has been marked by a higher field-goal accuracy but a lower success rate on extra points. His struggles with kickoffs have been a recurring issue, which could have been mitigated by bringing back Gay on a shorter-term deal. The 49ers’ decision to commit to Pineiro for four years came after his strong performance in 2023, when he only missed one field-goal attempt and consistently delivered clutch kicks.#los_angeles_rams #san_francisco_49ers #washington_commanders #eddy_pineiro #matt_gay
San Francisco 49ers and Kicker Eddy Pineiro Agree to Four-Year, $17 Million Contract San Francisco 49ers kicker Eddy Pineiro has reached an agreement with the team on a four-year, $17 million contract that includes $10 million in guaranteed money, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. The deal marks a reward for Pineiro’s standout 2025 season, during which he solidified his status as one of the league’s top kickers. Pineiro joined the 49ers after the team waived kicker Jake Moody just one game into the 2025 season. Taking over the kicking duties in Week 2, Pineiro quickly became a reliable force for the 49ers, contributing to their success under head coach Kyle Shanahan. Despite facing numerous challenges throughout the season, the team secured another postseason berth, with Pineiro playing a key role in their efforts. In 2025, the 30-year-old kicker converted 28 of 29 field goals, including six of seven from 50 yards or more, while also making 34 of 38 extra points. These performances earned him the league lead in field goal accuracy at 96.6%, a testament to his consistency and skill. Over his career, Pineiro has maintained an impressive 89.7% field goal conversion rate (139 of 155) and a 91.5% extra point accuracy (150 of 164). The 49ers have expressed confidence in Pineiro’s ability to remain their primary kicker for the foreseeable future. His performance in the Bay Area has not only bolstered the team’s special teams unit but also provided stability in a position that is critical to playoff success. Pineiro’s new contract reflects the team’s recognition of his value and the impact he has made during his time with the 49ers. As the 49ers look to build on their 2025 accomplishments, Pineiro’s presence on the field is expected to be a key factor in their continued competitiveness.#ian_rapoport #san_francisco_49ers #nfl_network #eddy_pineiro #kyle_shanahan
