John Lynch, Kyle Shanahan clarify why 49ers won’t trade Robbie Gould

Earlier this offseason, veteran kicker Robbie Gould requested a trade from the San Francisco 49ers. But head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch spoke why it won’t happen.

It’s looking like San Francisco 49ers kicker Robbie Gould won’t be granted his wishes — being traded somewhere, likely the Chicago Bears, after requesting such only a few days ago.

Gould, who led the NFL with a 97.1 field-goal percentage in 2018, was hit with the franchise tag by the Niners just before free agency after no long-term deal was reached between the two parties. Additional negotiations didn’t go anywhere, and Gould subsequently requested the trade.

But according to general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco isn’t going to honor that request.

Both Lynch and Shanahan met with the media following the 49ers’ selection of Ohio State EDGE Nick Bosa with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. While Bosa was the primary topic, one reporter asked what the situation was with Gould.

Lynch responded with the following comments, courtesy of the team’s PR department:

"As I said the other day, Robbie is a guy who we respect in a big way for the way he’s performed for us, for the teammate he’s been, and we’re hopeful that we can figure something out to keep him here for a long time. Robbie had his comments. We’ll choose to deal directly with Robbie, not through the media in terms of the negotiations and all. But, we’re hopeful we can find some resolution on this thing, and in the interim we know Robbie will be ready to play."

Gould has been absent from the Niners’ voluntary workout program, which kicked off just before the draft.

It’s possible Gould, who has yet to sign his franchise tender, remains away from the team’s facilities for some time. And while he could sit out the entire season, much like now-New York Jets running back Le’Veon Bell did a year ago with the Pittsburgh Steelers, doing so would forfeit nearly $5 million on the franchise tag.

Shanahan added:

"Yeah, we love having Robbie here. We understand that he doesn’t want to live here long-term and he’s made that clear to us, and we get that. But, we do have a franchise tag and he’s that good of a kicker that he’s worth franchising. So, unfortunately we know we’re not going to have him long-term here. I think that’s been pretty clear. No hard feelings about that. I do understand his reasons. But, pretty excited to have a good kicker this year."

When asked if the 49ers would honor Gould’s request for a trade, Shanahan simply responded, “no.”

It seems likely Gould and San Francisco won’t reach any sort of long-term deal anymore, especially considering the veteran kicker’s family remains in Chicago and he spent all of last year living out of a hotel room.

There is, of course, always the possibility something changes between now and training camp. But at least the 49ers have to start thinking about contingency plans and long-term options to eventually replace Gould.