Eddy Piñeiro Jr. Bio
Eddy Piñeiro Jr. is an American professional football placekicker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida Gators and signed with the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2018. Piñeiro has also been a member of the Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, Washington Football Team, New York Jets, and Carolina Panthers. He is currently second in NFL career field goal percentage at 89.7%, behind only Cameron Dicker. Known for his exceptional accuracy, Piñeiro became the NFL’s all-time field goal percentage leader in November 2024 during his tenure with the Panthers.
Early Life and Background
Piñeiro was born on September 13, 1995, in Miami, Florida, to a Cuban father and Nicaraguan mother. His father, Eddy Sr., immigrated to the United States from Cuba at age nine during the Mariel boatlift of 1980 and went on to have a professional soccer career with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the ASL/APSL.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Piñeiro grew up playing soccer and was a four-time All-Dade County selection. Despite spending his entire childhood focused on soccer, he joined the Miami Sunset Senior High School football team as a senior, handling extra points and kickoffs. This unconventional path to football set the stage for his unique journey to the NFL.
Path to American Football
After high school, Piñeiro signed with Florida Atlantic on a soccer scholarship, but academic issues prevented him from attending. He went on to play soccer for a small junior college, ASA College. In 2015, he attended an open kicking combine at Alabama where Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban narrowed his scholarship offers to Piñeiro and another kicker.
Piñeiro initially committed to Alabama before ultimately choosing to play for the Florida Gators. Special Teams Coordinator Marc Nudelberg played a key role in recruiting him to UF. During his two seasons with the Gators (2016-2017), Piñeiro became one of the most accurate kickers in college football. In his final year, he led the nation with a 94.4% field goal conversion rate (17 of 18 attempts). His career conversion rate of 88.4% (38 of 43) ranks first in Florida Gators history among kickers with a minimum of 35 attempts.
Eddy Piñeiro Jr. Career
Early Career (2018-2019)
Piñeiro entered the NFL when he signed with the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent on May 4, 2018. He was placed on injured reserve on September 1, ending his rookie season before it truly began.
On May 6, 2019, the Bears acquired Piñeiro via trade for a conditional seventh-round pick. He participated in Chicago’s summer kicking competition to replace Cody Parkey, who had missed the game-winning field goal against the Philadelphia Eagles in the previous season’s playoffs. Piñeiro won the job and made his NFL debut in the season opener against the Green Bay Packers, connecting on a 38-yard field goal. His breakout moment came in Week 3 against the Denver Broncos when he kicked a game-winning 53-yard field goal as time expired, giving the Bears a 16-14 victory. He earned his first NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honor for that performance.
Chicago Bears and Career Journey (2019-2021)
Piñeiro finished the 2019 season converting 23 of 28 field goals and 27 of 29 extra points, showing flashes of elite talent alongside some inconsistency. He recovered well from mid-season struggles, going perfect in the final five games including a game-winning 22-yarder against the Minnesota Vikings in the regular season finale. Both coach Matt Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace expressed confidence in Piñeiro as the team’s kicker moving forward.
In 2020, a groin injury prevented Piñeiro from participating in training camp and resulted in him being placed on injured reserve on September 8, ending his season before it started. He signed with the Indianapolis Colts on May 17, 2021, but was waived in August. Piñeiro then spent time on the practice squads of Washington and the New York Jets. He signed with the Jets in December 2021 and finished the season going 8 for 8 on field goals and 9 for 10 on extra points.
Carolina Panthers (2022-2024)
Piñeiro signed with the Carolina Panthers on August 31, 2022, following an injury to Zane Gonzalez. During his first full season with Carolina, he demonstrated the consistency that would define his career. In a Week 14 road victory over the Seattle Seahawks, he recorded 12 points on three field goals and three extra points, earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
Piñeiro re-signed with the Panthers in March 2023 and continued his strong play. In Week 15, he scored a game-winning field goal against the Atlanta Falcons, knocking them out of first place in the NFC South with a 9-7 final score. His 2024 season proved historic. On November 17, 2024, Piñeiro became the NFL’s all-time field goal percentage leader during the Panthers’ bye week, finishing the previous week at 89.4% (101 of 113). He surpassed Baltimore’s Justin Tucker, who had held the record for most of the previous decade.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2025-Present)
On September 10, 2025, Piñeiro signed with the San Francisco 49ers on a one-year contract. He made his 49ers debut in Week 2 during a 26-21 road victory over the New Orleans Saints, converting both field goal attempts and going 2 for 3 on extra points. The following week against the Arizona Cardinals, he made all three field goal attempts, including a game-winning 35-yarder as time expired for a 16-15 victory.
Two weeks later against the Los Angeles Rams, Piñeiro made both extra points and all four field goal attempts, including a career-long 59-yarder in the fourth quarter and a game-winning 41-yarder during a 26-23 overtime road victory. His performance earned him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week. During a Week 6 road loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Piñeiro made all four field goal attempts including two from over 50 yards. He followed with another strong showing against the Falcons, making both field goal attempts including a 55-yarder near the end of the first half. Piñeiro was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for October after converting all 10 field goal attempts and all six extra point attempts that month.
Piñeiro finished the 2025 season going 28 for 29 on field goals, co-leading the NFL in field goal percentage at 96.6% alongside Nick Folk. He made his postseason debut during the Wild Card Round against the Philadelphia Eagles, converting his lone field goal attempt and two of three extra points in the 23-19 victory. In the Divisional Round against the Seattle Seahawks, Piñeiro made both of his field goals in the 41-6 road loss. On March 11, 2026, he signed a four-year, $17 million extension with the 49ers.
Driving Style and Strengths
Piñeiro is renowned for his accuracy and consistency from all distances. His unconventional path to the NFL, coming from a soccer background rather than traditional football, has given him a unique kicking mechanics foundation. He has demonstrated the ability to deliver clutch kicks in high-pressure situations, including multiple game-winning field goals throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Piñeiro’s most significant career moments are his game-winning 53-yard field goal against Denver in 2019, his record-setting field goal percentage achievement in 2024, and his dominant 2025 season with the 49ers. His transition from soccer to NFL kicker remains one of the more unique career paths in professional football.
Eddy Piñeiro Jr. Career Wins
Piñeiro has established himself as one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history. As of 2025, he ranks second all-time in NFL career field goal percentage at 89.7% behind only Cameron Dicker. He set the NFL’s all-time field goal percentage record during his Panthers tenure before eventually ceding the top spot. His 2025 season was particularly strong, finishing 28 of 29 on field goals for a 96.6% rate that tied for the league lead, and he earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Week and Month honors that year.
Florida Gators Highlights
At Florida, Piñeiro made 38 of 43 career field goals for an 88.4% average, including a 94.4% season in 2017 that led the nation. His 38 career field goals rank sixth in school history, and his streak of 16 consecutive made field goals to close the 2017 season tied Jeff Chandler for the second-longest streak in program history.
Other Wins and Performances
Throughout his NFL career, Piñeiro has delivered numerous standout performances. He earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors during his time with the Panthers, including a 12-point performance against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 14 of 2022. His consistency has allowed him to remain a reliable option across multiple teams throughout his career.
| Competition Level | Field Goals Made | Field Goals Attempted | Field Goal Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Regular Season (Career) | 139 | 155 | 89.7% |
| NFL Postseason (Career) | 5 | 5 | 100.0% |
| Extra Points (NFL Career) | 150 | 164 | 91.5% |
Eddy Piñeiro Jr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Piñeiro was born in Miami, Florida, to a Cuban father and Nicaraguan mother. His father, Eddy Sr., was a professional soccer player who immigrated to the United States from Cuba at age nine during the Mariel boatlift of 1980. Eddy Sr. played professionally for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the ASL/APSL.
Personal Life
Piñeiro is a Christian and has credited his faith for his success. In 2017, he and his father were awarded the Police Service Award from the Gainesville Police Department for helping a woman escape from a domestic abuser. Piñeiro is the first player of Nicaraguan descent to play in the NFL. Before the Bears’ October 2019 game against the Raiders in London, he received a glass sculpture as a gift from Nicaragua’s ambassador to the United Kingdom.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a new chapter in Piñeiro’s career as he joined the San Francisco 49ers. From his debut in Week 2 against the Saints, he showcased the reliability that has defined his career. His standout performance came in Week 4 against the Rams when he made both extra points and all four field goal attempts, including a career-long 59-yarder in the fourth quarter and a game-winning 41-yarder in overtime.
Piñeiro’s consistency throughout October proved invaluable to the 49ers. He converted all 10 field goal attempts and all six extra point attempts that month, earning him NFC Special Teams Player of the Month. His ability to deliver in crucial moments, combined with his elite accuracy, made him a key contributor to San Francisco’s special teams unit.
Piñeiro finished the 2025 season as one of the league’s most accurate kickers, going 28 for 29 on field goals (96.6%) to co-lead the NFL in field goal percentage. He carried that momentum into the postseason, making his first career playoff appearances. His strong season earned him a four-year, $17 million extension with San Francisco, reflecting the team’s confidence in his abilities and his status as one of the NFL’s premier kickers.