With several free agents looming, the 49ers would be wise to prioritize their talented kicker.
The San Francisco 49ers spent the better part of two seasons searching for consistency at kicker. In 2025, they finally found it and then some.
Eddy Piñeiro delivered one of the most efficient kicking seasons the franchise has seen in decades, and that’s exactly why extending Piñeiro this offseason should be a top priority.
In a league where games are often decided by a single possession, having a kicker who is essentially automatic changes how coaches manage games. Piñeiro gave San Francisco that luxury all season long.
The contrast between Piñeiro and the team’s recent struggles at kicker couldn’t be more stark. The decision to move on from Jake Moody after Week 1 turned out to be one of the best front-office calls the 49ers made all year.
What had become a weekly concern quickly became a strength. Piñeiro came in prepared, confident, and never looked overwhelmed by the pressure of joining a championship-level roster.
Statistically, his year was nothing short of elite. Piñeiro converted 31 of his 32 field goal attempts, finishing with a league-best 96.6 percent success rate.
His only miss came on a 64-yard attempt against the Indianapolis Colts, a kick that struck the crossbar and came within inches of being one of the longest makes in NFL history.
Outside of that attempt, Piñeiro was perfect, going 28-for-28 on all other field goals.
More importantly, the accuracy carried over when the stakes were highest.
In two road playoff games, Piñeiro went a flawless three-for-three, showing the same composure in hostile environments that he displayed all regular season.
There’s also mutual interest.
Piñeiro made it clear after the season that he values being in San Francisco, sharing a message of gratitude and pride in representing the organization and its fans.
That combination of elite performance, affordability, and desire to stay is rare.
From a roster-building perspective, bringing him back is also a financial no-brainer. Piñeiro’s contract accounted for roughly 0.35 percent of the salary cap at just over $1 million per year.
Even if the 49ers double that number to secure him long-term, he would still represent outstanding value relative to his production.
The 49ers finally found stability at kicker. Letting it walk away now would make no sense.
Eddy Piñeiro earned an extension, and the 49ers would be smart to make it happen.