San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch issued a definitive vote of confidence in kicker Eddy Piñeiro on Tuesday, explicitly stating the team will not hold tryouts during its upcoming bye week. This decision stands in contrast to head coach Kyle Shanahan’s earlier ambiguity, as Shanahan admitted on Monday that he was unaware of any immediate plans to audition new kickers. Lynch’s public endorsement signals that the front office views Piñeiro’s recent inconsistencies as a temporary slump rather than a systemic failure, prioritizing stability over a reactive roster change.
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The decision to retain Piñeiro is rooted in his elite historical performance, even as his current numbers lag behind league standards. Piñeiro currently ranks 30th of 31 qualifying kickers in field-goal percentage (66.7%) and 26th of 28 in extra-point percentage (84.0%). However, he holds the third-best career field-goal percentage in NFL history at 88.4% and led the league in 2025 with a 96.6% conversion rate. The 49ers recently extended the 31-year-old to a four-year, $17 million contract with $10 million guaranteed, underscoring their commitment to his long-term potential despite his fourth missed 33-yard extra point in a loss to the Falcons.
Lynch defended the move by citing Piñeiro’s broader body of work, telling KNBR, “We have a lot of belief in Eddy… He’s going through a rough patch right now.” By refusing to entertain tryouts, the 49ers are betting that Piñeiro’s proven track record will outweigh his current statistical dip. This strategic patience suggests the organization believes the kicker can return to form without the disruption of a mid-season replacement, aligning with their investment in his guaranteed contract.
Source: Yahoo Sports
