San Francisco 49ers trade for K Zane Gonzalez
Mar 24, 2023, 6:22 PM
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 26: Johnny Hekker #10 of the Carolina Panthers holds the ball for Zane Gonzalez #5 before a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Bank of America Stadium on August 26, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
(Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
After weeks of speculation, the 49ers have finally found a new placekicker.
According to reports Friday, the San Francisco 49ers have traded for K Zane Gonzalez. While exact specifics haven’t been disclosed, the teams will reportedly swap seventh-round draft picks in 2025, as part of the deal. The exchange of picks will be conditional and Gonzalez must pass a physical, according to sources.
The news was broken by Gonzalez’s agent, Mike McCartney, Friday afternoon. Both teams confirmed the deal thereafter.
Excited for @ZGonzalez_5 being traded to the @49ers
— Mike McCartney (@MikeMcCartney7) March 24, 2023
Zane Gonzalez, 27, has played for three teams in his NFL career, most recently kicking for the Carolina Panthers last season. 2022 was his best season, hitting 90.9% of his field-goal tries for Carolina. He was also effective with PATs, hitting 22 of 23 attempts last season. Gonzalez is a career 80.5% on field goals.
After longtime kicker Robbie Gould chose to move on from the Bay this offseason, the Red & Gold were in need of a quality replacement. While this move allows the Arizona State alum to take the starting spot, Gonzalez’s 2023 salary is not guaranteed. That means that the 49ers could look for additional help in the draft.
San Francisco has reportedly been scouting the incoming kicker class, with Michigan’s Jake Moody atop the list.
With about a month to go before the 2023 draft, the 49ers continue to fill out its’ roster.
New #49ers K Zane Gonzalez had the best year of his career in 2022.
•90.9% FG percent in 2022.
•80.5% All Time Kicking %
•57 Yard FG is his career long pic.twitter.com/tf7pMqbhBi— 49ers & NFL News 24/7 (@49ersSportsTalk) March 24, 2023
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