What's happened
The 49ers have seen kicker Robbie Pineiro struggle this season, missing multiple extra points and field goals. After a 29-20 loss to the Falcons, coach Kyle Shanahan says there are no immediate plans to replace him, despite ongoing concerns about reliability and the looming bye week.
What's behind the headline?
The behind-the-scenes cost of kicking inconsistency
- The team is balancing cap space against dead money if they move on this season, with $6 million in potential dead money highlighted by discussions of a mid-season cut.
- The decision hinges on short-term points vs. long-term roster cohesion, as the Falcons game showed how a single missed extra point can tilt late-game outcomes.
- Shanahan’s call to go for it on fourth down in the same game signals a broader risk calculus: teams may prioritize momentum and conversions over automatic points when the clock is dwindling.
- If Pineiro continues to struggle, the 49ers will face pressure to reassess stability at the kicker position, potentially exploring alternatives during the bye week.
How we got here
Pineiro signed a four-year, $17 million extension after a strong debut season, replacing previous kicking woes. Through 25 attempts this year, he has missed four extra points and made six of nine field goals, raising questions about long-term stability in San Francisco.
Our analysis
New York Post reports on Pineiro's struggles, the 49ers' bye-week considerations, and Shanahan’s decisions following the loss to Atlanta.
Go deeper
- Will San Francisco sign a kicker during the bye week if Pineiro's misses persist?
- How might the cap implications influence any potential move away from Pineiro?
- What other teams’ strategies could the 49ers emulate to stabilize their kicking situation?