In San Francisco, where Super Bowl windows don’t stay open forever, the smallest margins can make the biggest difference. And right now, the 49ers are facing a decision that could come down to one of the most precise positions in football: kicker.

As the franchise tag window approaches, general manager John Lynch has a clear dilemma on his hands – whether to tag or let walk one of the most accurate legs in the league last season, Eddy Piñeiro.

From Emergency Option to Essential Piece

When Piñeiro arrived in Santa Clara last September, he was supposed to be a stopgap. The 49ers had just moved on from Jake Moody, a former third-round pick who never quite settled into the role.

Piñeiro? He didn’t just steady the ship – he became a cornerstone of the special teams unit.

He finished the year converting 31 of 32 field goal attempts, with his lone miss coming on a 64-yard prayer against the Colts in Week 11. That’s as close to automatic as it gets in today’s NFL. In a locker room packed with All-Pros and household names, Piñeiro quietly became one of the most valuable players on the roster – a specialist who delivered under pressure, week in and week out.

Now, he’s set to hit free agency. And the 49ers have to decide whether to lock him down or risk letting him walk.

The Case to Tag Piñeiro

Let’s be real – $6.8 million is a lot of money for a kicker. But context matters.

The 49ers are built to win now. They’ve got a loaded roster, a top-tier defense, and an offense that can hang with anyone.

What they can’t afford is instability at a position that often gets overlooked until it costs you a playoff game.

Tagging Piñeiro would prevent other teams from swooping in with big offers and would give San Francisco time to work out a longer-term deal – ideally one that lowers his 2026 cap hit. With roughly $42 million in effective cap space, they have the financial flexibility to make this move without compromising their broader offseason plans.

And after the rollercoaster that was the Moody experiment, there’s real value in knowing exactly what you’re getting when the game’s on the line.

Could a Tag-and-Trade Be in Play?

It’s rare to see kickers involved in tag-and-trade scenarios, but it’s not out of the question. If another team is in dire need of a proven veteran, Lynch could tag Piñeiro and move him for a late-round pick. That would at least recoup some value and open the door for a cheaper option – potentially a rookie – to step in.

But let’s not forget how the last rookie kicker stint went. That’s a risky game to play, especially for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.

The 49ers have already lived through the uncertainty. Banking on a rookie leg again would be a bold – and possibly reckless – move.

Lynch has been here before. He tagged Robbie Gould back in 2019, and that decision paid off. History tends to repeat itself in Santa Clara, especially when it comes to valuing stability in critical positions.

Bottom Line

Yes, $6.8 million is a steep price for a kicker. But for a team that’s all-in on winning now, it’s a calculated investment.

One missed field goal in January can end a season. And when you’ve got a kicker who’s been as reliable as Piñeiro, letting him walk feels like a gamble this team doesn’t need to take.

The 49ers have a choice to make – and it may come down to how much they value peace of mind when the pressure’s at its peak.