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Carolina Sports News

Entering NFL Free Agency, Carolina Panthers Kicker Eddy Pineiro Seeks to Finally Connect With New Contract

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers kicker Eddy Pineiro faced his current situation before.  

Entering free agency following the 2022 NFL season, Pineiro eventually agreed to a two-year, $4.1 million contract to remain with the Panthers. In his first season with the franchise, the former Florida Gators standout connected on 33 of 35 field goals and 30 of 32 extra points.  

Over the past two seasons, however, Pineiro attempted to prove to the front office that he was worthy of a long-term deal. One never materialized.  

“The process is a little stressful, but it kinda just plays itself out,” Pineiro said Monday.  

Eddy Pineiro Still Waiting To Finalize New Contract  

Last offseason, Pineiro declined to participate in a majority of offseason training activities (OTAs). Then first-year coach Dave Canales said the kicker was excused, but the stalled negotiations certainly played a role in Pineiro’s summer vacation.  

Pineiro took part in training camp and endured and up-and-down campaign, hitting 22 of 26 field-goal attempts and 33 of 35 extra points.  

Following a season-ending 44-38 overtime victory over the host Atlanta Falcons last Sunday, the players arrived at Bank of America Stadium on Monday to attend exit interviews and clean out their lockers. The Panthers finished 5-12.  

Pineiro, who will enter free agency again this offseason, said he’s still anticipating an opportunity to finalize a new deal. The 29-year-old questions whether the front office shares his long-term interest in returning.  

“I talked to the coaches and staff, and they said right now they don’t have an answer for what they want to do,” Pineiro said. “They want to sit down and kinda just weigh all their options. And they said they would reach out to me and my agent in a couple weeks.”  

Pineiro: ‘Hoping I Get A Shot To Come Back’  

Over his five-year career, Pineiro connected on 111 of 126 field-goal attempts. His 88.1 percent success rate ranks third all-time. Pineiro tied a team record earlier this season by hitting on 41 consecutive field-goal chances at Bank of America Stadium, but slumped over the final month.  

“It’s just part of kicking,” he said. “You make kicks, you miss kicks. And I’m just really proud, in my personal opinion, of what I’ve done the last three years here and performed for the Panthers. I gave it everything I got, and regardless if I come back or not, I’m just really happy that I know that I truthfully gave everything I did to the city, to my teammates, and to my coaches. So, I’m just happy about that.”  

What he’s obviously not happy with is the pace of negotiations, but declined to divulge what hurdles remain to finish a deal.  

With that decision happening, I’m going to keep it private still between me and the team,” Pineiro said. “I’m just hoping I get a shot to come back.”  

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