Robbie Gould will now be the highest-paid kicker in the NFL.
The veteran, who has had two outstanding seasons with the 49ers, will receive the franchise tag from the 49ers, ensuring that Gould will be with the team in 2019.
By placing the tag on Gould, the Niners will pay Gould about $5 million in 2019 for a one-year contract. At this time next season, Gould could again become an unrestricted free agent. At that time the 49ers and Gould will either negotiate a new deal, the team could use the tag again or allow Gould to test free agency.
Gould was terrific in 2018 for a 49ers team that went 4-12, successfully converting 33 of his 34 field-goal attempts. Gould, 36, made 39-of-41 tries in 2017, his first year with San Francisco after one season with the Giants and 11 seasons with the Bears. Over the past three seasons, Gould has the highest field-goal percentage in the NFL at 96.5 percent, ahead of No. 2 Justin Tucker (93) and Matt Bryant (90.7).
As Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com noted recently, general manager John Lynch had said earlier this offseason that the team had hoped it could negotiate a new contract with Gould. The team has plenty of areas of need this offseason, but kicker won't be one of them.
“He’s kicked unbelievably for us,” Lynch said. “He’s been incredibly clutch for us. We’d like to reward him for that.”
The 49ers had signed Gould to a two-year deal before the 2017 season worth $4 million.
