Robbie Gould's status remains unchanged as training camp looms.
The veteran kicker hasn't signed the franchise tender the 49ers placed on him in February (at roughly $4.9 million) and opted not to attend the team's madatory minicamp, but explained that things are more difficult from the inside.
“It’s a complicated situation,” Gould told NBC Sports Chicago. “The way I’ve kind of approached it is, I want to spend time with my family. And I let my agent handle it, and if anything comes up that I have to make a decision or be in the know, he’ll call me and let me know. But right now there’s nothing to really know, and I’m just enjoying being home and being in Chicago.
“I’m at a point in my career where my family is what’s going to dictate the decisions that I make.”
Gould, 36, spent the first 11 seasons of his NFL career in Chicago but was released by the Bears just before the start of the regular season in 2016. He signed a two-year deal worth $4 million with the Niners on the first day of free agency in 2017 and the team placed the franchise tag on him this spring.
According to ESPN.com, Gould "has pulled the contract proposals he sent to the team" and wants to be traded rather than sign a new contract with the 49ers.
Despite this offseason's drama, Gould, who has continued his success in San Francisco, doesn't hold a grudge against the Bears for letting him go.
“This city’s been incredible,” Gould said. “No matter where I’ve gone, no matter where I’ve lived, no matter where I’ve played, Chicago has always been home.”
Gould made 33 of 34 field-goal attempts and 27 of 29 PATs during the 2018 season, his second with the 49ers. He's 72-for-75 on field-goal attempts and 55-for-59 on PATs the past two seasons.