Before the 2023 free agency began, it was reported that San Francisco 49ers kicker Robbie Gould would be heading elsewhere. Over a week into the league year, Gould still has not signed with a new team, and the 49ers have not signed a new kicker. There are now questions on if the 49ers should re-sign Robbie Gould or move on.
Should the 49ers Re-Sign Robbie Gould?
Robbie Gould has been in the league since 2005, and in the 18 years, he has been on just three teams. His two most notable teams were the Chicago Bears and the San Francisco 49ers, but he did spend one season with the New York Giants as well. Gould is 40 years old and will turn 41 in the 2023 season, thus being at the end of his career.
It was reported by Adam Schefter on Twitter that the kicker will be playing somewhere else in 2023. A big reason for this is that Gould wanted too much money, and the 49ers would rather look to the draft than pay for him. Could things have changed with Gould still not being on a team?
49ers Kicker Robbie Gould – Aaron Gash/AP Photo
As this is likely Gould’s last contract, depending on the length, he is looking to get paid. There is an idea out there that he wants to be among the highest-paid kickers. Gould’s most intriguing stat is that he has never missed a kick in playoffs. The Dallas Cowboys fans have been discussing the idea of signing the veteran kicker, but as of now, there have not been reports on the idea.
In the 2022 regular season, Gould attempted 32 field goals and made 27, according to Pro Football References. The one miss came against the Las Vegas Raiders and could have been costly, but he ended up making the game-winner in overtime. While he is 40, the strength in his leg still seems to do him well, as he attempted and made two field goals in 2022 from a distance of 50+ yards. Of course, his age may still be something that teams are looking at.
The price is the biggest factor. The 49ers currently have around $6 million in cap space, according to David Lombardi. This price may not even include the team’s signing of Jon Feliciano, who confirmed that he will be playing in the Bay Area next year. Lombardi did propose one idea that could keep the veteran in San Francisco if both Gould and the team were to agree. The idea would be for a vet minimum cap hit of $1.17 million and a salary up to 1.35 million higher. This is highly unlikely, as he wants to be paid, but something to think about.
49ers Kicker Robbie Gould – Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports
Who Instead of Robbie Gould?
While nothing is guaranteed in the NFL, the 49ers signing a veteran that is not Gould is extremely unlikely. This means they will need to look at the draft. The top name out there is Michigan’s kicker, Jake Moody. Moody made all extra points in 2022, as well as had an 82.9 field goal percentage in 2022, according to ESPN. Moody would be much cheaper than Gould as a draft pick. The downside of the draft, just like any rookie, is the reliability. Luckily, kickers do not face the biggest difference from college to the NFL, but it is difficult to go from six years with Gould to someone brand new.
While Moody is the name to watch, there is always the chance that another team snatches him first. Some of the other kickers to keep an eye on in the draft are Ethan Mooney from North Texas, and Noah Ruggles, from Ohio State. Currently, colleges across the country and the 49ers always have scouts looking at each position. Expect that they have been looking closely at kickers, as it may be one of the most needed positions this year.
The odds that San Francisco sign Robbie Gould are slim, but not impossible. This may be a deal that comes down to the business side of sports. It would be smarter financially for the team to move on, though a risk. The answer will come soon, as the latest it can be decided is the 2023 NFL draft.
