49ers Give Former Viking a Look
Since the Minnesota Vikings cut ties with kicker Parker Romo about a year ago, the man has not had an easy ride. He’s bounced around, and a part of that adventure landed Romo on the San Francisco 49ers‘ doorstep this week.
The 49ers are giving a former Minnesota Vikings kicker a look, adding a notable wrinkle to their late-season search for stability on special teams.
Romo auditioned for Kyle Shanahan’s team, hoping to latch on as an injury policy for Eddy Piñeiro, who is battling a Week 12 injury.
Parker Romo Tries Out for 49ers
It’s been a mini-odyssey for Romo in the last 12 months.
Romo Could Sign with San Francisco
Romo is in the mix for San Francisco. The Athletic‘s Matt Barrows tweeted Monday, “Kicker John Parker Romo, who’s kicked for six NFL teams, including the Falcons earlier this year, will be among those taking part in the 49ers’ Tuesday tryout. Eddy Piñeiro is dealing with a Grade 1 hamstring strain.”
The Piñeiro injury morbidly bodes well for Romo, as it’s not easy for a kicker to battle a hamstring injury and play the following week. Romo has a real shot to sign with the 49ers sometime soon.
Piñeiro’s Status Up in the Air
Pinerio will probably miss time, evidenced by the 49ers’ acquisition of kicker Matt Gay. Romo is in the mix as possible insurance for Gay, who is not an elite specialist.
ESPN’s Nick Wagoner noted this week, “The San Francisco 49ers don’t yet know how long kicker Eddy Piñeiro will be out with a right hamstring injury, but they have decided who his temporary replacement will be.”
“Piñeiro suffered a grade 1 hamstring strain in his right (kicking) leg in Sunday’s win against the Arizona Cardinals. Coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Piñeiro would be ‘week-to-week’ and that the Niners would work out multiple kickers over the past 48 hours.”
Romo in Minnesota
Romo took over as the Vikings’ kicker from Weeks 10 through 13 in 2024 after then-rookie Will Reichard hit injured reserve, and he was rock solid the entire stretch. He hit everything he was supposed to hit, carried the scoring load in an ugly win over Jacksonville, and drilled a game-winner in Chicago. Exactly the kind of stopgap teams hope falls into their lap.
Once Reichard returned, Minnesota had to move on, even though Romo didn’t give them a reason. Since then, he’s lived the journeyman life — tryouts, practice squads, a stint in Atlanta — steady enough to hang around but waiting for the right opening to stick. A proven leg still looking for a home.
Rollercoaster This Year
The New England Patriots signed Romo when Minnesota cut him loose last year. He remained in New England until the summer, when the Patriots nominated rookie kicker Andy Borregales for the job. Then, Romo popped up with the Atlanta Falcons after Younghoe Koo‘s naughty struggles. Romo kicked in Atlanta for about two months before the Falcons had seen enough and signed Zane Gonzalez. Atlanta released Romo.
Romo tried out for the Raiders last week. No cigar. And he we are with the 49ers audition — a rollercoaster for the guy who lives in Vikings lore for his 2024 performance.
San Francisco Gets Gay
NBC Sports’ Angelina Martin wrote about the Gay move, “The 49ers have found their temporary Eddy Piñeiro replacement. San Francisco is signing veteran kicker Matt Gay to its practice squad, the team announced Wednesday, and released wide receiver Russell Gage Jr. to make room.”
“NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero first reported the 49ers were signing Gay after being told by the kicker’s agents. The Washington Commanders cut Gay on Monday and signed former 49ers kicker Jake Moody off the Chicago Bears practice squad. It will be difficult for Gay to replace the field-goal production of Piñeiro, who is a perfect 22-for-22 during his time in the Bay but also has missed three extra-point attempts.”
It’s worth noting that San Francisco is smack dab in the middle of the playoff hunt. It can’t afford kicker woes.
Martin added, “Gay was kicking 68.4 percent on field goals (13-for-19) during the 2025 NFL season with Washington. Across his seven-year NFL career, which has included stints with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Rams, Indianapolis Colts and Commanders, Gay owns an 84 percent field-goal percentage.”
Romo will turn 29 next summer.
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