A lot of people were hoping for Chicago Bears Robbie Gould reunion when the veteran kicker became a free agent this offseason. It seemed like the feeling was mutual. Gould has kept strong ties in Chicago and still has his family here. Finishing his career with the franchise that made him a household name would make perfect sense.
Sadly it appeared those hopes were dashed when the San Francisco 49ers used their franchise tag to keep hold of his contract rights for 2019. At that point the Bears were left with few options but to move on. Since then they’ve signed young names like Redford Jones and Chris Blewitt while also meeting with former AAF kickers Nick Rose and Younghoe Koo.
Then again things change fast in the NFL. It would appear the 49ers aren’t entirely set on keeping Gould another year based what Matt Maiocco revealed via NBC Sports.
“The 49ers placed the franchise tag on kicker Robbie Gould, but the team is also showing interest in New England Patriots free agent Stephen Gostkowski, a league source told NBC Sports Bay Area on Tuesday.
Gould and Gostkowski rank Nos. 2 and 3 all-time in NFL field-goal accuracy at 87.745 and 87.381, respectively, behind Justin Tucker. Gould is 36, while Gostkowski is 35.
Gould has not signed his franchise tender, and Gostkowski remains unsigned as a free agent.”
A Robbie Gould Bears reunion would be icing on the cake
It’s been a relative surprise that Gostkowski remains available. He’s been to the Pro Bowl several times during his long NFL career and has three Super Bowl rings. He’s consistently been on of the best in the league for a long time. So it’s curious why other teams haven’t moved quick to sign him. San Francisco seems to smell an opportunity to get a bit younger at the position.
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Not to mention they wouldn’t have to pay Gould the franchise tag money for 2019 if they rescinded it and signed Gostkowski instead. This would make Gould a free agent and free to sign wherever he pleases. With neither Jones or Blewitt looking like easy picks to win the job in training camp, it would be the perfect opportunity for him to swoop in and get his old job back.
