The San Francisco 49ers are expected to release kicker David Akers, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee.
49ers expected to release David Akers, according to report
David Akers, the 15-year veteran kicker, had one of his worst seasons in 2012.
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Akers, 38, did not have a good season in his second year with the 49ers. He attempted a league-high 42 field goals this season, but he only made 29. That’s a 69 percent success rate, the lowest of his career.
Akers stands to earn $3 million in base salary, and the 49ers are likely to part ways with the kicker who began the season tying an NFL record for longest field but who went on to have the worst season of his career. Along with trading Alex Smith and allowing Dashon Goldson the license to sign elsewhere, Akers is part of a cost-cutting effort that will enable the 49ers to sign other players.
Akers’ poor season came a year after a really solid season for the 49ers. In 2011, Akers attempted a league-high 52 field goals and connected with 44 -- also a league high. That’s a success rate of 84.6 percent, which was more than three points higher than his career average. He led the league in points scored in 2011 with 166 points.
After 15 years in the league, Akers is a six-time Pro Bowler and a two-time first-team All-Pro. He was an undrafted free agent out of Louisville. He’s led the league in points scored twice.
To replace Akers, the 49ers could sign a free agent. It’s unlikely the team would draft a kicker, but it’s possible. Florida’s Caleb Sturgis is the highest-rated kicker in this year’s draft.
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