In the high-stakes world of the San Francisco 49ers, the difference between a Lombardi Trophy and a quiet February often comes down to the inches between the uprights.

As the franchise tag window opens in less than a week, general manager John Lynch finds himself staring at a “tag or trade” dilemma involving the most reliable leg in football last season in Eddy Piñeiro.

From replacement to requirement

Piñeiro arrived in Santa Clara last September as an emergency fix after San Francisco moved on from former third-round pick Jake Moody, and he didn’t just fill a roster spot; he stabilized a championship contender. Piñeiro finished the 2025 season converting 31 of his 32 attempts, his only miss coming on a desperation 64-yard attempt against the Colts in Week 11. In a locker room full of stars, Piñeiro became the quietest MVP of the 49ers’ season.

Now, Piñeiro is a pending free agent, and his price has never been higher.

49ers’ case for the franchise tag

For most positions, $7 million is a bargain. For a kicker, it’s a king’s ransom.

However, the Niners are in win-now mode. After the volatility of the Moody era, San Francisco knows the psychological value of a sure thing at the kicker position. Tagging Piñeiro prevents a bidding war with teams while also buying the 49ers time to negotiate a three-year extension that could drop his 2026 cap hit significantly.

In a season where the Niners have roughly $42 million in effective cap space, spending $6.8 million to ensure they don’t lose games on special teams is a luxury they can afford.

The ‘trade or walk’ reality

The “trade” part of this dilemma is rarer for kickers, but not impossible. If a team is desperate for a veteran leg, the 49ers could tag-and-trade Piñeiro for a late-round pick, recouping some value if they plan to draft a rookie.

But given their recent history with rookie kickers, that feels like playing with fire.

Lynch has tagged a kicker before (Robbie Gould in 2019), and history has a way of repeating itself in Santa Clara. While $6.8 million is a steep one-year price, the cost of a missed field goal in January is much higher.

As we stand today, expect the 49ers to use the tag as a bridge to keep Piñeiro in the Bay Area through 2026.