Robbie Gould says he’ll be elsewhere next season. The 40-year-old kicker, who has never missed an attempt in the playoffs, wants to test free agency and land elsewhere, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
It’s a bit of an odd report, not offering a direct quote or indicating whether it was a statement made publicly or directly to Schefter, but it was confirmed by NBC Sports’ Matt Maiocco.
The 49ers seem to be focused on evaluating kicking options in this year’s draft. Michigan’s Jake Moody is perhaps the most recognizable name on the list, with The Athletic’s Matt Barrows reporting that the team has also met with NC State kicker Christopher Dunn.
While Gould has been excellent, and exceptionally reliable, for the 49ers for the last six years, he’s struggled at forcing touchbacks since taking over kickoff responsibilities from Mitch Wishnowsky, and has a fairly limited range.
His longest kick since 2019 was in a 54-yarder against the Packers in the playoffs on that Super Bowl campaign. It was the longest kick he’s made in the last seven years. Just 44.35 percent of the 49ers’ kicks were touchbacks last season, the fifth-lowest margin in the league.
A decision for the future was going to have to be made now or some time in the near future at that position, and with special teams coordinator Brian Schneider having a successful first year with the 49ers, now makes as much sense as ever.
Of course, it might not actually be Gould’s choice if the 49ers don’t like the alternatives through the draft and free agency.
The team could franchise tag Gould, as they did in 2019, for $5.39 million. Gould refused to sign that tender and requested a trade, but signed an eventual four-year, $19 million deal with $10.5 million guaranteed at signing.
Gould cost the 49ers $5.51 million on the cap last season, per OverTheCap, so that figure wouldn’t be outrageous. That said, at his age, he could threaten retirement if the team tags him, and it wouldn’t be a hollow threat.
San Francisco is also working with finer margins this offseason, and a rookie contract kicker would create some cap breathing room for the foreseeable future. A move on from Gould might make sense for both sides.