The San Francisco 49ers acquired kicker Zane Gonzalez from the Carolina Panthers, the 49ers announced on Friday. The Panthers will receive a couple of late-round picks in the 2025 NFL draft in exchange.
Gonzalez will replace the previous kicker, 41-year-old Robbie Gould. Set to become an unrestricted free agent this season, Gould’s price is said to have exceeded what the 49ers are willing to pay for the veteran. In 2022, Gould had a salary cap number of $5.5 million. With multiple other contract rises expected in the new season, the 49ers are unwilling to increase the salary that they pay for a kicker.
During his six-year career, the 27-year-old Gonzalez played for the Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals and Panthers, scoring 91 of 113 (80.5%) of his field goal attempts and 127 of 134 (94.8%) on extra point tries.
While no confirmation has been made, the arrival of Gonzalez likely signals the end of Gould’s tenure with the Niners. Since arriving in San Francisco in 2017, Gould made 87.5% of his field goals and all 21 of his postseason field goals.
