The 49ers appeared to answere any kicking questions for 2019 when they placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on free agent kicker Robbie Gould. His spot on the roster may not actually be sewn up, though. Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reported San Francisco is interested in former Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski.
Gould hasn’t signed his franchise tag yet according to Maiocco, and the long-time Bears kicker has expressed a desire to find his way back to Chicago. The exclusive franchise tag wouldn’t afford him the opportunity to do that. The non-exclusive tag does allow Gould to negotiate with other clubs, but the 49ers have the opportunity to match the offer, and they would receive a pair of first-round picks if Gould does exit.
The interest in Gostkowski comes as a bit of an insurance policy. Maiocco noted that Gould and the 49ers aren’t on the same page, and the 36-year-old kicker isn’t happy about the tag being placed on him.
Gostkowski would offer a fine alternative to Gould who’s been among the league’s most accurate kickers since joining the 49ers in 2017. The long-time Patriot entered the league as a fourth-round pick of New England in 2006. There he made 87.4 percent of his kicks, earned two All-Pro nods, four trips to the Pro Bowl, and won three Super Bowls.
It would be a significant win if finding a kicker is the most drama the 49ers have on their roster this offseason. While it is a position becoming more crucial as the talent gap between NFL teams closes, a bit of turmoil at that spot is much less damaging than if it was a quarterback or pass rusher.
Ultimately San Francisco is in a good spot if they can either retain Gould or sign Gostkowski.
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