SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers have locked in kicker Eddy Piñeiro with a new four-year contract worth $17 million, which includes $10 million in guarantees. Piñeiro’s agents shared this news, helping him avoid free agency as the negotiation period begins.
General manager John Lynch highlighted Piñeiro’s importance at the NFL combine last month. “Eddy was fantastic,” he said. “I don’t know if a guy could have come in and done any better.”
Piñeiro’s consistency has brought stability to a position that struggled since Robbie Gould left after the 2022 season. He stepped in after the team released Jake Moody early last season and made an impressive 28 of 29 field goals. Notably, he nailed six kicks from over 50 yards. His only miss was a near-miss 64-yarder against Indianapolis.
His 96.6% field goal success rate marks one of the best seasons in 49ers history. Among kickers with at least 50 attempts since 2000, Piñeiro stands third with an 89.7% conversion rate.
Piñeiro isn’t the only specialist the 49ers are looking to retain. They recently re-signed long snapper Jon Weeks, while punter Thomas Morstead remains a free agent. Lynch indicated the team is actively working to keep Morstead in the fold as well.
These moves reflect the 49ers’ commitment to building a strong and reliable team as they prepare for the upcoming season. The emphasis on solid special teams can make a significant difference in games, and with Piñeiro’s recent success, fans are hopeful for a playoff push.
For more insights, you can check out this article from ESPN.
