New York Giants kicker and Pennsylvania native Robbie Gould will test the waters and enter free agency this offseason.
After spending one season with the New York Giants, long-time Chicago Bears’ kicker Robbie Gould will test his value on the open market in 2017.
New York is left now with just one kicker on their roster. Southern Oregon product Aldrick Rosas is the only player at the position under contract. Rosas was signed to a reserve/futures deal in January, after spending the 2015 preseason with the Tennessee Titans.
Chicago cut ties with Gould in a surprise move just before the start of the regular season. He was later scooped up by New York during Week 7 and would go on to the spend the remainder of the season with Big Blue.
As a Giant, Gould went a perfect 10-for-10 on his field goal attempts, including a long of 47 yards. He was less consistent (20-for-23) on extra point attempts, but for the most part was largely automatic for the team throughout the season.
It’s no surprise the 12-year veteran wants to explore his options in free agency. Though his 10 field goal attempts in 2016 were a career low, there’s something to be said for his efficiency. With the recent rule changes to move the extra point back to the 15 yard-line kickers have become more valuable than ever in today’s NFL.
Last season Gould’s contract with the Giants was worth only $637,532, the lowest total he’s made since 2007. Gould made under $2 million in a season just once since that 2007 campaign, with a whopping $5.92 million in 2013 and a sizable $3 million during his last full season as a Bear in 2015.
If Gould wants anything near the premium kicker money he once commanded, the Giants may be out of the running for his services. New York is currently just a hair over $14 million in cap space after franchise tagging defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul and may look for a cheaper, younger option.