The San Francisco 49ers are bolstering their special teams unit by re-signing free agent kicker Eddy Piñeiro to a four-year contract. This decision comes after Piñeiro’s impactful performance following his arrival to the team in the lead-up to Week 1 last season, where he converted the previously inconsistent field goal unit into a significant asset.
Earlier in the season, the 49ers had high hopes for Jake Moody, a former third-round draft pick who subsequently encountered difficulties in his kicking game. After a rocky start, including two missed field goals in a close victory against the Seattle Seahawks, the team opted to waive Moody and turn to Piñeiro.
Despite a shaky start—his first kick as a 49ers player, a point-after attempt against the New Orleans Saints, went wide right—Piñeiro quickly found his rhythm. He excelled in field goal attempts for the remainder of the season, with his only miss occurring on a near-historic 60-yard attempt against the Indianapolis Colts that hit the crossbar. A half yard more would have solidified a remarkable achievement, as only once before had a 49ers kicker, David Akers, made a field goal from over 60 yards.
At 30 years old, Piñeiro holds the record for the second-longest field goal in 49ers franchise history with a 59-yarder during a dramatic overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 5. He wrapped up the season with impressive statistics, completing 6 of 7 field goals from 50 yards or more and an overall tally of 28 successful attempts out of 29. However, he did miss four of his 38 extra point attempts.
In addition to Piñeiro’s signing, the 49ers have secured long snapper Jon Weeks, who is 40 years old, with a one-year extension and are currently negotiating with punter Thomas Morstead, who is also a free agent and will celebrate his 40th birthday soon. The continuity in the special teams unit aims to further solidify the 49ers’ chances in the upcoming season, showcasing a commitment to maintaining a strong foundation as they look to build on last year’s performance.