Recently on Niners Live, I made a strong case why Marquise Goodwin deserves a contract extension. Now I'll try to make an even stronger case for why kicker Robbie Gould deserves a contract extension.
Related: Why Marquise Goodwin Deserves a Contract Extension
The San Francisco 49ers and General Manager John Lynch wasted no time in signing free agent kicker Robbie Gould, who stands at 6-0 and weighs 190 lbs., to replace former Forty-Niners' kicker Phil Dawson during the 2017 offseason. Gould, who's now thirty-five years young, heads into his second year of a two-year deal worth $4 million with one million being fully guaranteed (overthecap.com).
Robbie Gould is most notably recognized by the time he's spent with the Chicago Bears (11 seasons), where he showed consistency and poise as a kicker. With Chicago, he managed to make 276 of his 323 field goal attempts with a career 85.4 field goal percentage, making him the Chicago Bears' franchise leader in field goals made.
Why field goal kicker Robbie Gould Deserves a Contract Extension
- Gould made 95.1% of his field goals (39 out of 41) which is a franchise record surpassing Joe Nedney's previous high of 92.9 percent in 2005.
- Gould scored 145 points on the season, which is third-most in the NFL in points scored. Gould's ranking comes in as the third highest by a 49ers' player since David Akers in 2011.
- Gould converted 17 of 18 field goals from 40 to 49 yards and went four-for-four from 50+ yards out.
- The Forty-Niners' offense averaged 20.7 points per game. However, Gould accounted for nine of those 20.7 points per game. The Forty-Niners' offense ranks 27th in the NFL in scoring (touchdown %).
- Gould had two game-winning field goals against the Chicago Bears and the Tennessee Titans. Against the Houston Texans Gould accounted for 14 of the 26 points scored to beat the 16 points generated by the Texans.
- On his 35th birthday, Gould was named NFC's Special Teams' Player of the Week for going 5 out of 5 against the Bears (via Sacramento Bee).
- Gould was honored with the Perry/Yonamine Award which represents the Forty-Niner player who exhibits an exceptional commitment to promoting unity within the team and in their community (via the team's website).
- Gould has clearly outplayed his contract (Phil Dawson signed a 2-year, $6 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals) and he's 42 years old. Important to note: Dawson made only 80% of his field goals converting (32 of 40).
- Gould is all about the culture of winning and brotherhood.
- Gould's 2017 statistics (seen above) were Pro Bowl worthy (23 consecutive made field goals).
Allow me to leave you with this
The Gould Standard of Robbie Gould's work ethic, production, consistency, and efficiency really can't begin to be just measured by stats. Gould has to be measured by his ability to breathe a breath of fresh confidence in his fellow teammates; knowing he's a clutch performer in the most pressuring situations. And that, my friends, is the reason why Robbie Gould deserves a contract extension, and to be honest (in my opinion), it's why he was the Forty-Niners unanimous MVP.
Sequoia Sims: Founder of Niners Live, Content Creator and Senior Author. The home of the faithful fan and analyst from an objective/analytical lens, and different perspective, of course.