The 2023 NFL offseason is not without its crazy surprises.
Forget all of the quarterback drama, the latest news has fans reacting in hilarious ways as it involves kickers.
The San Francisco 49ers orchestrated a trade with the Carolina Panthers for the team’s kicker Zane Gonzalez.
49ers officially announced they have acquired K Zane Gonzalez from the Carolina Panthers in exchange for a conditional swap of late-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. Gonzalez must pass a physical for the trade to be executed.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 25, 2023
Trades for kickers are few and far between, but the 49ers did lose their veteran kicker Robbie Gould who at 40 years old wanted to test the free agent market.
Former #Bears K Robbie Gould could have a reunion in Chicago soon. #DaBears pic.twitter.com/lbBVpqaBrV
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) March 25, 2023
To date, that has not materialized in a new contract though Gould is working the Chicago Bears reunion angle pretty diligently.
https://twitter.com/ChiSportUpdates/status/1639453137571397632
On top of all of this is the fact that the Panthers re-signed 2022 kicker Eddy Pineiro, and there were indications that they were planning to cut Gonzalez, but the 49ers jumped on the trade before that happened.
Eddy Pineiro returning the Panthers.@EddyPineiro pic.twitter.com/s2ZHpDzGbY
— Will Kunkel (@WillKunkelFOX) March 23, 2023
Gonzalez was injured during the 2022 season so he had not played since Week 12 of 2021.
You cannot make this stuff up folks.
You also cannot make up the fans’ reactions to this plot twist on Twitter.
Here are some of the more noteworthy ones.
Evan Elliott pointed out the revolving door that seems to be in operation between the Panthers and the 49ers given the recent player movement including Christian McCaffrey, Sam Darnold, Steve Wilks, and Zane Gonzalez.
Basement Dweller Here called this curious mashup of players going from Carolina to San Francisco the “San Francisco Panthers.”
Darrick Smith wondered if the trade terms were “two vending machines and water cooler.”
Latson called this “literally the most random trade ever.”
Conclusion
Far be it for us to second-guess the San Francisco 49ers front office, but this is so strange.
They must know something we do not.
He probably would have been released if they waited.
One fan is already making a prediction about how 49ers Coach Kyle Shanahan will (or will not) utilize Gonzalez.
“On the bright side it looks like Kyle will be going for it more on 4th downs.”
All of us will keep a close eye on how well Gonzalez, Piniero, and Gould do in this bizarre 2023 kicker switcheroo.
NFL Betting Guides 2024
- NFL Betting Guide – Discover Best NFL Betting Sites in USA Ranked & Reviewed.
- NFL Betting Apps Guide – Compare the Best Apps for NFL Betting Ranked & Reviewed.
- NFL Live Betting Guide – Compare Best NFL In Play Betting Sites.
- The Latest NFL Odds – Compare the Best Football Odds & Lines.
- NFL Spread Odds Explained – Expert Guide on How to Win Football Spread Bets.
- NFL Totals Odds Explained – Expert Guide on How to Win Football Totals Bets.
- NFL Futures Odds Explained – Expert Guide on How to Win Football Futures Bets.
- NFL Moneyline Odds Explained – Expert Guide on How to win Football Moneyline Bets.
- Free NFL Picks – Check Expert Football Picks & Predictions.
- Free NFL Picks Against The Spread – Check Expert NFL Picks Against the Spread.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
