Another week, another missed kick for San Francisco 49ers kicker Eddy Pineiro. The veteran missed his seventh kick of the season in as many weeks when he pulled an extra point wide left in Sunday's loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
With the Niners looking like legitimate contenders for the NFC's top spot and a bye in the first round of the playoffs, coach Kyle Shanahan is likely running out of patience. It doesn't help that the 49ers just did this same dance with Jake Moody a little over a year ago.
With such little margin for error, the front office can't afford to wait around until Pineiro overcomes his inner demons.
Instead, multiple free-agent kickers await an opportunity to sign with a team, and the Niners may be in the market very soon.
3. Graham Gano
Gano is a veteran who is accustomed to kicking in big moments. He has made 13 of 16 playoff field goal attempts in his illustrious 16-year career. He has also made 18 of his last 21 field goals dating back to 2024.
He also hasn't missed an extra point since 2022. Pinerio has missed four just in this season alone. The Niners could easily make the transition to the seasoned kicker without missing a beat.
2. Matt Prater
2026 would be Prater's 20th season if he were to suit up. The 42-year-old has no shortage of experience, and he possesses elite success as recent as last year, when he made 90.0 percent of his field goal attempts.
Having played in both Denver and Buffalo, Prater knows what it's like to kick in frigid conditions. If the 49ers were to run into poor weather when Winter comes, Prater could be a significant asset.
1. Riley Patterson
If the 49ers were looking for a more long-term solution, they could elect to sign Riley Patterson. He's a bit of a journeyman, having played for six teams in as many years, but he has maintained an impressive 86.6 career field goal percentage despite being unable to find a permanent home.
Over the last two years with the Miami Dolphins, he nailed 34 of 38 field goals while missing just two of 41 total PATs. At just 27 years of age, Patterson could stick around for a while if he proves competent. While he may not be what San Francisco is looking for in a pinch, he represents a set-it-and-forget-it solution to a position that has caused Kyle Shanahan to lose hair over the past few years.
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