Eddy Pineiro Bio
Eddy Piñeiro Jr. is an American professional football placekicker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). Born on September 13, 1995, in Miami, Florida, he played college football for the Florida Gators before signing with the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2018. Across his NFL career, Piñeiro has also been a member of the Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, Washington Football Team, New York Jets, and Carolina Panthers.
Known for his accuracy, Piñeiro has built a reputation as one of the league’s most reliable kickers. He holds a high career field goal percentage, and he has been recognized multiple times as the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week and Month. He remains an active contributor on special teams for the 49ers.
Early Life and Background
Eddy Piñeiro Jr. was born on September 13, 1995, in Miami, Florida. His father, Eddy Sr., moved to the United States from Cuba at age nine during the Mariel boatlift of 1980 and later had a professional soccer career with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the American Soccer League. His mother is of Nicaraguan descent, and Piñeiro grew up in a household with a strong athletic background rooted in soccer.
Piñeiro started playing soccer like his father and became a four-time All-Dade County pick in the sport. Despite having grown up only playing soccer, he joined the Miami Sunset Senior High School football team as a senior, handling extra points and kickoffs. This late introduction to football set him on a new athletic path that would eventually define his professional career.
Path to American Football
Piñeiro signed with Florida Atlantic on a scholarship to play soccer, but academic issues prevented him from attending. His father encouraged him to try on football cleats and pads, and without a football scholarship, Piñeiro played soccer at a small junior college, ASA College. His breakthrough came in 2015, when he attended an open kicking combine at Alabama, where head coach Nick Saban narrowed his scholarship offers to Chris Salek and Piñeiro.
Although Piñeiro verbally committed to Alabama, he later tried out for the Florida Gators and ultimately chose to play there. Special Teams Coordinator Marc Nudelberg was instrumental in recruiting him to the University of Florida. During the 2016 and 2017 seasons, Piñeiro developed into one of the most accurate kickers in the nation, finishing his final year with a 94.4% conversion rate by making 17 of 18 attempts. His career conversion rate of 88.4% ranks first in school history, and he declared for the 2018 NFL Draft after only two seasons with the Gators.
Eddy Pineiro Career
Early Career (2018)
Piñeiro signed with the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent on May 4, 2018. His time with the Raiders was brief, as he was placed on injured reserve on September 1 of that year, cutting short what had been an unusual path from soccer prospect to professional kicker.
The setback in Oakland pushed him to seek new opportunities. He was traded to the Chicago Bears in May 2019 in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Bears were searching for a kicker to replace Cody Parkey after the memorable “Double-Doink” playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Chicago Bears Breakthrough (2019–2020)
Piñeiro won the Bears’ 2019 summer kicking competition and quickly proved his value. During the season-opener against the Green Bay Packers, he made his first NFL field goal, a 38-yard kick that accounted for the only Bears points in a 10–3 loss. The following week against the Denver Broncos, he kicked a game-winning 53-yard field goal as time expired to give Chicago a 16–14 road victory, earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
Despite some midseason struggles, including missed attempts against the Los Angeles Chargers and the Los Angeles Rams, Piñeiro finished the 2019 season strong. He made all nine field goal attempts and all eight extra point attempts over the final five games, including a game-winning 22-yarder against the Minnesota Vikings in the regular-season finale. He finished the year converting 23 of 28 field goals and 27 of 29 extra points. In 2020, a groin injury prevented him from playing, and he was placed on injured reserve.
Carolina Panthers Era (2022–2024)
After short stints with the Indianapolis Colts, Washington Football Team, and New York Jets in 2021, Piñeiro signed with the Carolina Panthers on August 31, 2022, following an injury to Zane Gonzalez. With the Panthers, he earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors after a Week 14 victory over the Seattle Seahawks and delivered a game-winning field goal against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 15 of the 2023 season.
On November 17, 2024, Piñeiro became the NFL’s all-time field goal percentage leader during the Panthers’ bye week. By the end of that stretch, he had reached 101 made field goals in 113 attempts. Although he later fell out of first place, his performance established him as one of the league’s most accurate kickers heading into free agency.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2025–Present)
On September 10, 2025, Piñeiro signed with the San Francisco 49ers on a one-year contract. He made his 49ers debut in a Week 2 victory over the New Orleans Saints and quickly delivered a game-winning 35-yard field goal against the Arizona Cardinals the following week. Against the Los Angeles Rams, he drilled a career-long 59-yarder and another game-winning kick in overtime, earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
Piñeiro finished the 2025 regular season going 28-for-29 on field goals, co-leading the NFL in field goal percentage at 96.6% alongside Nick Folk. He was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for October after converting all 10 of his field goal attempts and all six extra point attempts that month. He made his postseason debut in the Wild Card Round against the Eagles and added two more made field goals in the Divisional Round against the Seattle Seahawks. On March 11, 2026, he signed a four-year, $17 million extension with the 49ers.
Driving Style and Strengths
Piñeiro is recognized for his calm approach under pressure, his strong leg on long-distance attempts, and his consistency from inside 50 yards. He thrives in clutch situations, having delivered multiple game-winning kicks throughout his career. His preparation and partnership with his special teams coaching staff have helped him maintain a high level of accuracy across multiple teams and stadium environments.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Piñeiro’s signature moments are his 53-yard game-winning kick against the Denver Broncos in 2019, his 59-yard career-long field goal against the Los Angeles Rams in 2025, and his 2024 climb to the top of the NFL’s all-time field goal percentage list. He has earned multiple NFC Special Teams Player of the Week awards and an NFC Special Teams Player of the Month honor, reinforcing his reputation as a top-tier kicker.
Eddy Pineiro Career Wins
Eddy Piñeiro’s career is defined by accuracy rather than volume, with multiple game-winning field goals across several franchises. He has consistently delivered in pressure moments, from his Bears debut to clutch kicks with the Panthers and 49ers.
NFL Highlights
Piñeiro has been a difference-maker in close games throughout his career. Notable game-winning kicks include a 53-yarder against the Denver Broncos in 2019, a 35-yarder against the Arizona Cardinals in 2025, and a 41-yarder in overtime against the Los Angeles Rams in 2025. His 96.6% field goal percentage in the 2025 regular season tied for the league lead and marked one of the most accurate single-season performances in recent NFL history.
Other Performances
Piñeiro earned recognition during his time with the Carolina Panthers, including NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors after a 30–24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in 2022. He also played a key role in several postseason games with the 49ers during the 2025 season, scoring in both the Wild Card and Divisional rounds.
Eddy Pineiro Family
Family Background and Lineage
Piñeiro was raised in Miami, Florida, by his Cuban father, Eddy Piñeiro Sr., who moved to the United States during the Mariel boatlift of 1980 and played professional soccer. His mother is of Nicaraguan descent, making Piñeiro the first player of Nicaraguan descent to play in the NFL. Before a 2019 Bears game against the Raiders in London, he received a glass sculpture as a gift from Nicaragua’s ambassador to the United Kingdom in recognition of his heritage.
Personal Life
Piñeiro is a Christian. In 2017, he and his father were awarded the Police Service Award from the Gainesville Police Department for helping a woman escape from a domestic abuser. He is known for maintaining close family ties and has spoken publicly about the influence of his father’s athletic career on his own journey into professional sports.
2025 Season Performance
Eddy Piñeiro’s 2025 season with the San Francisco 49ers was one of the most efficient of his career. After signing a one-year contract in September, he quickly established himself as the team’s primary kicker and delivered several game-winning kicks, including clutch field goals against the Arizona Cardinals and the Los Angeles Rams. He was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for October after a perfect stretch that included all 10 of his field goal attempts and all six extra point attempts.
By the end of the regular season, Piñeiro had converted 28 of 29 field goal attempts, tying Nick Folk for the NFL lead at 96.6%. His accuracy and consistency gave the 49ers a dependable scoring option in tight contests throughout the year.
Piñeiro continued his strong form into the postseason, making his lone field goal attempt in the Wild Card Round victory over the Philadelphia Eagles and both of his field goal attempts against the Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional Round. His performance through the 2025 season earned him a four-year, $17 million extension with the 49ers in March 2026, securing his long-term future with the franchise.
