The 49ers had a decision to make on kicker Robbie Gould on December 31. On Wednesday morning, the Niners didn’t just choose Gould’s option. They agreed to a new agreement. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the 49ers signed a two-year, $ 7.25 million, fully guaranteed contract with Gould. Gould is now under contract with the 49ers until 2022.
Gould remains one of the best kickers in NFL history, but he hasn’t played well recently. He had his worst season in 2019, but as soon as long snapper Kyle Nelson came back, if that was the reason, Gould was once again automatic. Some felt that the Niners may not choose Gould’s option, as he lost two field goals and an extra point in Week 16, but that seemed like a recent bias.
The way Kyle Shanahan talked about Gould on Saturday made it appear that this change was inevitable. We don’t have the details of the contract, but this deal is cheaper than the last contract Gould signed, if we go by the average. Gould’s last deal averaged $ 4.75 million. If this contract is direct, which is rarely the case in San Francisco, Gould’s average reaches $ 3.625 million per season.
Rob Guerrera said, “kickers are like lawyers. Everyone hates them until they need one. ”The Niners are betting on Gould’s reputation and not his recent history. Did they make the right decision?