NEWSLETTER
The San Francisco 49ers’ mandatory minicamp kicks off this week, but it doesn’t look like the team’s place-kicker will be making the trip:
49ers’ kicker Robbie Gould still has not signed his franchise tag, thus he will not be at minicamp.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 10, 2019
Robbie Gould hasn’t signed the Franchise tag tender and will not attend the team’s mandatory minicamp. Hello. And since Gould (who didn’t show up to OTAs either) isn’t technically under contract, he can’t be fined for his absence. Well-played by a long-time NFLPA rep who knows the ins-and-outs of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Earlier in the offseason, 49ers GM John Lynch expressed confidence Gould would be in the fold with the team this season. HOWEVER, the two sides haven’t been all that close on a new contract — even though Gould laid out what he wanted out of his next deal. The two sides have been so far apart in negotiations, the 49ers were reportedly considering Stephen Gostkowski before he re-signed with the Patriots.
Since then, Gould has demanded a trade (preferably close to Chicago), but the 49ers have denied that request to this point and have insisted on holding Gould hostage for the time being.
If you’re still holding out hope for Gould’s return to Chicago, I’m not going to stop you. The team that still doesn’t have a certified option locked down at the kicking position. There is reason to believe Chicago is still waiting this out, while also still actively searching for Cody Parkey’s replacement with a no stone left un-turned approach that has gone to great lengths to test their kickers.
For what it’s worth, the Bears have enough cap space to absorb the type of contract Gould would likely be seeking. Back in January, it seemed as if Gould’s career was destined to end in Chicago one way or another. Gould discussed his love for the city and a potential return, then teased us to pieces in an impromptu interview with former teammate Earl Bennett. Unfortunately, the 49ers have done everything in their power to stand in the way of an ideal reunion happening.
The Cold War between a 36-year-old kicker and a team that used a Franchise tag to keep him rages on.
