Eddy Pineiro: Salary| Ethnicity| Longest field goal| Nationality

Introduction

Eddy Piñeiro (sometimes spelled “Pineiro”) has carved out a reputation in the National Football League (NFL) as one of the most accurate kickers of his generation. Beyond his performance on the field, many fans are curious about his background — his ethnicity, nationality, earnings, and standout moments such as his longest field goal. In this article, we explore these facets of Piñeiro’s life and career in depth.

Who Is Eddy Piñeiro?

Full name: Eddy Piñeiro Jr.
Date of birth: September 13, 1995
Place of birth: Miami, Florida, U.S.
Position: Placekicker
Current team (as of 2025): San Francisco 49ers

Piñeiro was undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft but quickly earned opportunities across multiple NFL franchises. Over time, his consistency in field goal accuracy has elevated him to one of the more reliable kickers in the league.

Nationality & Ethnicity

Nationality: American

Eddy Piñeiro is American by birth, having been born in Miami, Florida. Because of his parentage, he also embodies a multicultural heritage.

Ethnicity & Heritage

Piñeiro’s background is an interesting mix of Cuban and Nicaraguan heritage:

• Father’s side: His father, Eddy Piñeiro Sr., emigrated from Cuba to the United States during the 1980 Mariel boatlift — when many Cubans left the island for the U.S.

• Mother’s side: His mother is from Nicaragua, having come to the U.S. as a teenager.

Thus, Piñeiro represents a dual Hispanic heritage: Cuban on his paternal side, Nicaraguan on his maternal side.

In fact, he is often noted as the first NFL player of Nicaraguan descent. His identity as a Hispanic athlete has drawn attention in media and among fans looking for greater diversity in the NFL.

Career & Rise to the NFL

Early life & sports background

Piñeiro’s athletic roots come from soccer — not surprising, given his father’s background as a soccer professional in the U.S.

In high school, he played soccer more than football. Eventually, he dabbled in kicking in football, but his path was nontraditional. He even attempted to try out at Alabama’s kicking camp, competing among hundreds of hopefuls.

He later committed to the University of Florida, where he played two seasons for the Florida Gators (2016–2017). In his final college year, he made 17 of 18 field goal attempts (94.4 %) and posted a career conversion percentage of about 88.4 % (38 of 43), the best in school history (among those with minimum attempts) at that time.

Professional career: teams & transitions

Though undrafted in 2018, Piñeiro quickly got signed by the Oakland Raiders as a free agent. Over subsequent years, he has been part of:

• Chicago Bears (he was traded to them in 2019)

• Indianapolis Colts (signed in 2021)

• Washington Football Team and New York Jets (past stints)

• Carolina Panthers — he had several seasons with them including signing in 2022 and re-signing in 2023.

• San Francisco 49ers — in 2025, he signed a one-year contract with the 49ers.

His moves show the nature of a specialist position in the NFL: teams often rotate or seek upgrades at kicker depending on performance or strategy.

Salary & Contract Details

2025 contract & salary

For the 2025 season, Piñeiro signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers worth $1,170,000 (base salary) per OverTheCap. That also matches the figure reported on Spotrac as his average annual salary for that deal.

According to OverTheCap, his cap charge in 2025 is about $972,778. He has no guaranteed money for this contract (i.e., fully guaranteed zero) according to their breakdown.

Earnings history & net worth

Piñeiro’s salary has varied over his career:

• In 2024, while with the Carolina Panthers, he reportedly earned a base salary of $2,000,000 (no bonus) per some sources.

• Over his career, his total earnings are often estimated at $7.5 million+ (OverTheCap lists “Career Earnings: $7,528,667” as of 2025)

• Some sites estimate his net worth in the range of $8–9 million, taking into account salary, endorsements, and investments.

It’s worth noting that kicker salaries in the NFL, while significant, tend to be more modest compared to high-profile QBs or skill position players.

Longest Field Goal

One of the defining metrics for a kicker is the longest field goal made in professional play. For Piñeiro:

• His longest field goal recorded in NFL official stats is 59 yards.

• In 2025, playing for the 49ers, he achieved a 59-yard field goal, which set a new personal best.

Note: While 59 yards is his longest in the NFL, that is short of the NFL record, which is 66 yards (set by Justin Tucker). But for Piñeiro, a 59-yarder is a standout mark and showcases his leg strength under pressure.

Performance & Accuracy

Field Goal Percentage & Accuracy

Piñeiro’s consistency is a highlight of his career. As of 2025, his career field goal conversion is approximately 88.7 % (118 made out of 133 attempts) per his player page.

That high percentage places him among the top kickers in NFL history (though rankings shift year to year).

His extra point (PAT) percentage has also been strong, making him a reliable contributor on special teams.

Clutch kicks & notable moments

Some notable kicks and moments in his career:

• In 2019, with the Bears, Piñeiro hit a 53-yard field goal as time expired to defeat the Denver Broncos.

• He has been named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week at least twice (e.g. 2022 week 14) for his performance in crucial games.

• In college, his near-flawless final season (17/18 FGs) and streaks of consecutive successful kicks boosted his reputation as a reliable specialist.

These performances help build credibility and keep him in demand in the league.

Challenges, Changes & Career Stability

The life of an NFL kicker can be precarious — performance slumps or a missed game-winner may prompt teams to look elsewhere. Piñeiro has experienced roster changes and brief releases, yet has remained resilient.

For example:

• He was released by teams in some offseasons and had to re-sign or compete in kicking contests.

• Some contract years had guarantees (e.g. $45,000 in his 2021 Colts deal) but performance and team decisions ultimately determined his fate.

• Each move to a new team is an audition, and Piñeiro’s performance often determines whether he sticks or is replaced.

Nevertheless, his ability to maintain high accuracy and occasional long kicks gives him staying power in the NFL’s high-pressure environment.

Legacy & Impact

Representation & inspiration

As a Hispanic athlete with Cuban and Nicaraguan roots, Piñeiro holds significance beyond the gridiron. Being the first NFL player of Nicaraguan descent brings visibility to underrepresented communities.

He often speaks about the influence of his family, heritage, and faith as driving forces in his life.

Statistical standing

Though not yet widely known among casual NFL fans, Piñeiro’s accuracy and consistency make him notable in specialized circles. His career FG percentage ranks among elite kickers historically.

If he continues to perform well over multiple seasons, he could further climb historical accuracy leaderboards.

Summary: Key Facts at a Glance