Robbie Gould asks the 49ers to trade him

When kicker Robbie Gould was set to become a free agent after playing out his 2018 contract with the San Francisco 49ers, many Chicago Bears fans hoped for a homecoming. Gould, the all-time leading scorer in Bears’ history, still lives in Chicago with his family, so it seemed as though the stars were aligning for the franchise that cut him in 2016 to end the kicker-curse that has hung over the team the last three years.

But the ‘Niners had no interest in giving Gould’s career a happy ending, so they slapped the franchise tag on the 36-year old kicker.

It’s a tag that he’s yet to sign.

Earlier today, as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Gould pulled the contract proposals he had sent the 49ers, he told them he would no longer negotiate with them or sign a long term deal, and he asked to be traded.

“The bottom line is, I’m unsure if I want to play there anymore,” Gould told ESPN about his franchise tag. “At this point, I have to do what’s best for me and my family back home.”

Back home, of course, is Chicago, where he is currently working out while the 49ers are going through offseaosn workouts in California.

Gould hasn’t hid the fact that he wants to be back with the Bears, and his Twitter feed is full of hints.

That’s an interesting word choice in his motivational Tweet from yesterday.

John Lynch, San Francisco’s general manager, on Monday said, “Robbie’s going to be a part of us this coming year, I know that,” but this latest game of chicken could lead to Gould not reporting until their 2019 season opener.

Brain Mackler, Gould’s agent, has even gone as far as to float the idea of holding out altogether. “At this time, we are unsure when or if he will report. It will not be prior to Sept 8, at the earliest, if at all.”

The Bears have three rookie kickers on the roster right now, but you have to wonder if there has been some informal talks between Gould’s people and someone in the Bears origination that has Robbie taking this recent stand.

Do you guys think Bears’ general manager Ryan Pace should make an offer to San Fran to get Gould back in the Windy City?