The San Francisco 49ers made a major personnel move heading into the March 12 free agency period, releasing veteran kicker David Akers after a mediocre 2012 season.
According to the Associated Press, San Francisco released the six-time Pro Bowl player on Wednesday, ending a two year run with the 49ers that started with a record-breaking season in 2011. General Manager Trent Baalke released a statement thanking Akers, calling the kicker a "true professional who represented himself and this organization with class."
Akers played in every game that the 49ers played over the past two years and set new NFL records by making 44 field goals and attempting 52 kicks. Akers also tied the NFL record for distance by kicking a 63-yard field goal against the Green Bay Packers last season, tying a number of kickers, including Jason Elam.
"We wish him, and his family, all the best," Baalke said.
Akers had a down year after being a record-breaking kicker, making just 29 of 44 field goal attempts last season, which was his lowest total in over 10 years. He missed two potential game-winning kicks in separate overtime games, which were in the tie to the Rams and another loss.
The 38-year-old kicker was fantastic while playing with the Eagles for a number of years, but he has struggled from long-range over the past two seasons and went just 9 of 19 last year on kicks beyond 40-yards. Prior to the playoff games against the Packers and Falcons, the 49ers brought in Billy Cundiff to compete with Akers for the job.
Akers kicked three field goals in the Super Bowl and sent one off the uprights against the Falcons. He missed one kick in the Super Bowl, but the Ravens were called for a penalty. Akers went through double hernia surgery in February 2012, which may have contributed to his struggles.
Akers was with the Eagles for over 10 years and signed a three-year deal with the 49ers after leaving Philadelphia.
According to the Associated Press, Akers was a four-time All-Pro and his "297 points over the past two seasons are the most in the NFL during that span. Akers has played in 221 games and connected on 367 of 453 field goal attempts and 521 of 527 PATs for 1,622 career points."
