Is a Robbie Gould-Bears reunion still possible?

Chicago Bears fans have been hoping — praying, really — for a Robbie Gould reunion this offseason. Those hopes and prayers seemed all but squashed, however, when the San Francisco 49ers placed the franchise tag on the veteran kicker.

But fear not: There’s still a chance Gould will return to Chicago.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Gould has informed the 49ers he won’t sign a long-term deal and has requested a trade.

In a turn of events, 49ers’ franchise kicker Robbie Gould has pulled his contract proposals that he sent to San Francisco and told the team he will not negotiate or sign a long-term deal with them, and he would like to be traded, Gould said Tuesday.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 23, 2019

This is such a bizarre story on so many levels. It’s rare for the franchise player designation to be used on a kicker, and it’s even rarer for that same kicker to demand a trade.

It’s obvious to anyone who pays attention on social media that Gould wants to return to Chicago as much as Bears fans want to welcome him back. And while it’s unlikely San Francisco will just give him away in a trade, the Bears should strongly consider offering a Day 3 pick to get a deal done.