Robbie Gould Expresses Willingness to Re-Join Bears Without Hesitation
In March, kicker Robbie Gould revealed that he would not be renewing his contract with the 49ers, opting to explore the possibilities of free agency as he heads into his 19th NFL season.
During an interview with NFL.com at the PGA Tour Champions Invited Celebrity Classic, Gould discussed his priorities in selecting a new team, emphasizing the importance of being closer to his family in Chicago and joining a competitive organization. With his extensive experience and shifting priorities, Gould explained that he's taking a more selective approach to the free agency process when deciding the next chapter of his career.
Seven years after departing from the Bears, Gould's former team might just meet his criteria for his upcoming move, as his family remains in the city and the Bears are projected to improve their performance with rising star quarterback Justin Fields. When asked about the possibility of rejoining his initial team, Gould expressed enthusiasm for the prospect, stating that it would be difficult to refuse such an opportunity.
In late May, Gould appeared on ESPN 1000 to discuss the idea of returning to Chicago.
Gould continued: "Would I love to come back here and play? Absolutely. There's no doubt about it. Unfortunately, it's not in our court to make that decision."
While Gould has expressed a strong desire to join the Bears, it seems the sentiment is not reciprocated. If the Bears haven't reached out to him yet � and it seems they haven't � it's likely because they are content with their current kicker.
Over the last three seasons, Cairo Santos has been handling the Bears' kicking duties, successfully converting 90.6% of his field goals (77 of 85). In 2022, Santos made 21 of 23 attempts, with one block and one miss from 56 yards out, both difficult to attribute to him directly.
Between 2016 and 2019, the Bears experienced one of the most challenging kicking situations in the NFL. However, with Santos on the team, they have found a reliable kicker and appear unwilling to risk losing that stability by letting him go.
With the prospect of joining Chicago seemingly off the table, Gould has outlined two primary criteria for his potential 2023 team: proximity to his home in Chicago and a chance to play for a winning organization.
As seen at: Robbie Gould would re-join Bears 'in a heartbeat'
| POLL | ||
21 AVRIL | 132 ANSWERS Robbie Gould Expresses Willingness to Re-Join Bears Without Hesitation Should the Bears sign Robbie Gould again? | ||
| Yes | 94 | 71.2 % |
| No | 38 | 28.8 % |
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