Eddy Pineiro
Getty
The 49ers needed a new kicker after Eddy Pineiro's injury sustained Sunday vs Arizona.
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he NFL offseason is in full swing and over these next few months, teams will look to build a roster capable of competing for a Super Bowl title. This week, NFL free agency opens up where players with expiring contracts will test the open market and see what their value is. For most teams, the inevitable will happen– a big name star will leave and sign somewhere else.
In the case of the San Francisco 49ers, a lot needs to be figured out if they want to return to Super Bowl contention. Despite finishing 12-5 and returning to the playoffs after a one season absence, the 49ers dealt with numerous injuries to key stars, forcing them to play their hand all throughout the year. But one bright spot for the 49ers this season was at kicker, getting a dominant performance out of Eddy Pineiro after he signed with the team ahead of week two. And while Pineiro’s contract expired, the 49ers are not letting him hit free agency, agreeing to terms on a new four-year extension with him on Saturday, March 7.
Pineiro’s Extension
The 49ers were in kicker limbo before Pineiro arrived, releasing former third round pick, Jake Moody, after he struggled in his two plus season stint with the team. But Pineiro instantly fixed the inconsistencies at kicker for the 49ers, going 28-for-29 on field goals and 34-for-38 on extra points, missing four due to various factors including bad weather. And with how important a good kicker is, and the 49ers wanting to keep their special teams intact, the team wasted no time and came to terms with Pineiro on a four-year, $17 million deal– with $10 million guaranteed. The deal was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
“Kicker Eddy Pineiro and the 49ers reached agreement today on a four-year, $17 million extension that includes $10 million guaranteed, per his agents Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey,” Schefter tweeted. “Pineiro is now off the market and will not become a free agent this week.”
The 49ers now have one less thing to worry about in an offseason that could see them make several changes to the roster. Currently in another contract standoff with star left tackle, Trent Williams, Williams’ future in San Francisco is in flux while several other 49ers could be on their way out as well. But the 49ers know they will go into 2026 with one of their most reliable players coming back.
Pineiro’s Career Thus Far
An undrafted free agent in 2018, Pineiro started his career with the Raiders franchise before joining the Chicago Bears in 2019– spending two seasons there. After bouncing around the league at the start of 2021, Pineiro eventually found a long term home with the Carolina Panthers, signing with the team in 2022 as an injury replacement before being retained for the 2023 and ’24 campaigns.