Tag: Gonzalez

Aug 13, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Carolina Panthers place kicker Zane Gonzalez (5) kicks the game winning field goal against the Washington Commanders during the second half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers trade kicker Zane Gonzalez to 49ers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Carolina Panthers have traded kicker Zane Gonzalez to the San Francisco 49ers, his agent announced on Twitter on Friday.

“Excited for @ZGonzalez_5 being traded to the @49ers,” agent Mike McCartney wrote.

The teams later announced that Gonzalez was headed to San Francisco for conditional late-round 2025 compensation. The Panthers had a surplus of kickers after signing Eddy Pineiro on Thursday to a new two-year deal.

Gonzalez did not play in a game last season. He was placed on the injured reserve after suffering a quad injury in the preseason contest.

Gonzalez is entering his sixth season in the NFL after a stellar collegiate career with Arizona State.

The 27-year-old Gonzalez was selected in the seventh round of the NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns in 2017. He has played for the Browns (2017), Arizona Cardinals (2018-20) and Carolina (2021). He had made 91 of 113 career field-goal attempts (80.5 percent) and 127 of 134 extra-point attempts (94.8 percent).

–Field Level Media

Oct 8, 2022; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Christian Gonzalez (0) against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez declares for NFL draft

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez announced Sunday he is opting out of the team’s bowl game and entering the NFL draft.

Gonzalez is projected to be a first-round pick and one of the first cornerbacks selected.

“I am super excited to see where this next chapter — the one I’ve been dreaming of my whole life — will take me,” Gonzalez said in his announcement on Twitter. “With that being said, I am opting out of the bowl game and I will be declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft.”

Gonzalez had a team-best four interceptions for 118 yards and made 51 tackles this season in his lone season with the Ducks.

Gonzalez transferred from Colorado after last season. He played two seasons for the Buffaloes.

Two of Gonzalez’s four interceptions this season came during a 49-10 win at Colorado on Nov. 5.

–Field Level Media

New York Jets kicker Eddy Pineiro (15) celebrates after kicking a field goal against the Miami Dolphins during NFL game at Hard Rock Stadium Sunday in Miami Gardens. Pineior kicked for the University of Florida. New York Jet V Miami Dolphins 15

Reports: Panthers to audition K Eddy Pineiro

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Carolina Panthers are bringing in veteran kicker Eddy Pineiro for a visit, multiple outlets reported Sunday.

Other reports said the team will also audition Brian Johnson now that fellow kicker Zane Gonzalez is sidelined with a groin injury.

Both Pineiro and Johnson worked with Panthers special teams coordinator Chris Tabor when Tabor held the same role with the Chicago Bears.

Gonzalez, 27, was hurt while kicking on the sidelines in the third quarter of Friday’s 21-0 preseason win against Buffalo. Coach Matt Rhule said it was a “significant” injury that requires a “long-term” recovery period.

Pineiro, 26, was cut by the New York Jets this week after losing a competition with Greg Zuerlein. He has made 31 of 36 field goals and 36 of 39 extra points in 21 games with the Bears (2019) and Jets (2021).

Johnson, 23, spent time on Chicago’s practice squad in 2021. He converted all 10 field-goal attempts and nine of 13 PATs in seven games last season with New Orleans and Washington.

–Field Level Media

Aug 27, 2021; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers kicker Ryan Santoso (9) kicks a field goal in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers cut kicker, sign Zane Gonzalez off Lions practice squad

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Kicker Zane Gonzalez was signed by the Carolina Panthers off the practice squad of the Detroit Lions on Tuesday.

Gonzalez will handle kicking duties for the Panthers, who waived kicker Ryan Santoso.

Cutting Santoso after one game also spared the Panthers their 2022 seventh-round pick. That compensation was owed to the New York Giants in a trade, but only if Santoso remained on the roster for two weeks.

He missed an extra point in Sunday’s win over the Jets.

Gonzalez, 26, was in camp with the Panthers earlier this summer on a tryout basis.

Before joining the Lions’ practice squad, Gonzalez also played for the Cleveland Browns and Arizona Cardinals. In 2019, he made 31 of 35 field goals (88.6 percent) and 34 of 35 extra points (97.1 percent) with the Cardinals.

For his career, Gonzalez has made 78 percent of his field goal attempts and 94.6 percent of PATs.

–Field Level Media