The San Francisco 49ers and Robbie Gould remain in a standoff Concerning the kicker’s Potential with the franchise.
It does not seem like Gould is prepared to acquiesce quietly into the franchise tag and execute the year just yet.
“It’s a complex scenario,” Gould told NBC Chicago. “The way I’ve kind of approached it’s, I want to spend some time with my loved ones. And I allow my agent handle this, and if something comes up that I have to make a decision or take the know, he will call me and allow me to know. But right now there is nothing to really know, and I’m just enjoying being home and being at Chicago.
LATEST ANALYSIS
??? Team matches for top staying FAs
??? Ranking deepest place groups
??? NFL triplets rankings: Who’s No. 1?
??? NFC West primer: Camp questions ??? Rank: Could Redskins surprise?
“I’m at a stage in my career where my family knows what is likely to dictate the choices that I make.”
Gould spent his first 11 seasons with the Bears and still makes his offseason home in Chicago. The 14-year veteran is anticipated to be a free agent following this year, and presumably — given his urge to play near his loved ones and the Bears’ struggles to pin down a trusted kicker — will be playing for the McCaskey family again were it not for your 49ers slapping him with the franchise tag. Gould has requested a transaction. The 49ers refused the notion.
The kicker skipped offseason workouts — because he’s not signed the $4.971 million franchise tender, like Le’Veon Bell last season, he cannot be fined for missing mandatory minicamp.
The 36-year-old’s first remarks on his impasse with the 49ers came through the Robbie Gould Celebrity Golf Invitational in Medinah Country Club to raise funds for Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. Gould’s ties to the city run deep.
“This town’s been incredible,” Gould said, through NBC Chicago. “No matter where I’ve gone, regardless of where I have lived, regardless of where I have playedChicago has always been home.”
Regardless of whether the kicker prefers to play with his home group or not, the 49ers restrain his rights. His options at this point are to signal the label and play out the season, pull on a Le’Veon Bell, or pray the Niners have a change of heart.
Since the Bears published Gould in 2016 after two down seasons, the kicker has been one of the most accurate booters from the NFL, nailing 82 of 85 area goals. It’s not a surprise that the Niners wish to keep him another season.
The 49ers and Gould have until July 15 to hit a long-term remedy, but unless the veteran is playing an impressive negotiating game by pining to return to his home team, that deadline seems likely to pass without motion.
