In the end, I guess money talks. After making it clear he didn’t want to sign with the team and demanding a trade all offseason, kicker Robbie Gould discovered $19 million reasons to stay, deciding he had, in fact, left his heart in San Francisco.
Gould and the San Francisco 49ers have agreed on a four-year, $19 million contract that tears up the kicker’s franchise designation. The contract comes with $10.5 in guaranteed cash. Gould is now the NFL’s second highest paid kicker at $4.75 million a season, behind Justin Tucker of the Baltimore Ravens.
Beating Monday deadline for franchised players to sign long-term extensions, the 49ers and Robbie Gould reached agreement on a 2-year, $10.5 million fully-guaranteed deal that, including an option clause, can turn into a 4-year, $19M deal that includes $15M gtd, sources tell ESPN
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 15, 2019
The contract comes with a team option to shred it after two seasons, so the four years, at this point, is more of a way to spread out the salary cap impact.
Of all the long-term contracts that could have shown up Monday before the 4 p.m. franchise tag deadline, this one seemed like a long shot. Gould appeared to have already packed his bag for a return trip to the Chicago Bears, the team with which he spent the first 11 years of his career. With the Bears’ kicking woes, they were primed to overpay the 49ers for his services in draft picks, so this seemed like an easy call to make. Head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch thought differently.
With his four-year, $19M deal that averages $4.75M per year, Robbie Gould stays with the #49ers for at least two years (that are fully guaranteed). After a tag, a trade request and a firm stance from the team, the two sides work together and find common ground for a deal.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 15, 2019
Last season Gould converted 97.1 percent of his field goals to lead the league and was 11-for-12 beyond the 40 yard line. He missed a total of four kicks all season, two field goals and two extra points.
Only two other franchise players remain unsigned as of this writing, Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney and Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jaerett. It’s unlikely Clowney will play on anything other than the franchise tag this season. Jarrett and the Falcons are reportedly in heavy talks. They better hurry. The clock is literally ticking.
With today being last day franchise players can sign long-term deals this year, here’s what sources say:
*Houston LB Jadeveon Clowney will not get a deal done.
*Atlanta and DT Grady Jarrett are unlikely to reach an agreement.
*49ers and K Robbie Gould have agreement in place.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 15, 2019
