San Francisco 49ers kicker Eddy Piñeiro has signed a four-year, $17 million contract extension, including $10 million guaranteed, after an outstanding performance last season. The deal, announced Saturday, ensures Piñeiro remains a key contributor as the team seeks stability at the placekicker position heading into the 2025 NFL season.
Piñeiro, 30, led the NFL in field-goal accuracy last year, making 28 of 29 attempts at a remarkable 96.6%. His only miss came from a 64-yard try in Week 16, a distance that would have ranked among the five longest field goals in NFL history but struck the middle of the crossbar.
Near-Record Performance Builds Piñeiro’s Reputation
With an overall career field-goal percentage of 89.7, Piñeiro ranks second all-time in NFL history. Last season, he narrowly missed becoming only the third kicker to convert every field-goal attempt in a season with a minimum of 25 tries, a feat previously achieved by Gary Anderson in 1998 and Mike Vanderjagt in 2003. Notably, Piñeiro made six of seven field goals from beyond 50 yards and recorded a 59-yard field goal, the second-longest in 49ers franchise history.
The 49ers originally signed Piñeiro to a one-year, $1.17 million contract after the 2024 regular-season opener. This proved a wise move given his accuracy, especially when contrasted with the performance of former kicker Jake Moody. Despite being a high NFL draft pick from Michigan, Moody struggled, finishing last in field-goal percentage last season and making only 12 of his final 23 attempts before being released. Piñeiro’s consistency has ended doubts about the 49ers’ kicking reliability.
49ers Avoid Free Agency with Team-Friendly Deal
Piñeiro was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent as the new league year began Wednesday, but the 49ers acted swiftly to retain him rather than risk losing a vital asset. While the franchise tag for kickers would have cost approximately $6.9 million for the season, the new four-year deal offers long-term security for the team at a reasonable price.
On an annual basis, Piñeiro will earn $4.25 million, placing him 13th among NFL kickers in average salary, with the $10 million guaranteed ranking 11th in the league. By comparison, the league’s highest-paid kicker, Harrison Butker of the Kansas City Chiefs, earns $6.4 million per year with $17.75 million guaranteed money.
Key Special Teams Contributors and Future Questions
Piñeiro’s contract is part of a revamped special teams unit that has achieved a turnaround under first-year coordinator Brant Boyer. His placekicking duties are supported by veteran long snapper Jon Weeks and punter/holder Thomas Morstead. Weeks, 40, recently signed a one-year extension after his second Pro Bowl selection capped a 16-year career. However, Morstead, 39, remains unsigned as a free agent after finishing last season with some concerns about his punt placement, having placed only 50% of his punts inside the 20-yard line, ranking near the bottom in the NFL.
Context on the 49ers Kicking Role and Team Impact
Piñeiro’s near-perfect season not only restored stability to the 49ers’ kicking game but also relieved pressure on the coaching staff and offense. His accuracy and range have become vital assets as the team pursues playoff success. The decision to keep Piñeiro on a multi-year deal demonstrates trust in his performance and potential longevity.
As the 49ers move forward, retaining key special teams personnel like Jon Weeks, while addressing the punting situation, will be important factors for maintaining momentum. Piñeiro’s extension provides a foundation of reliability in a position that has historically been inconsistent for the franchise.
