Bears Fans Can Finally Breathe Again, Despite a History of Uncertainty At This Position
After the 2015 season, the Chicago Bears parted ways with long-time kicker Robbie Gould. Gould spent 11 seasons in Chicago and was one of the best kickers in team history. This left many Bears fans frustrated and upset with the transaction, and this was just the beginning.
After the decision to move on from Gould, the revolving door for finding a new kicker began. For the next two seasons, the Bears used a variety of veteran kickers, including Connor Barth, Mike Nugent, and a short injury stint with Cairo Santos. Over the next two seasons, the trio combined for 29-39 on-field goal attempts.
Then of course the next kicker to come in may be one of the most hated men in Chicago, Cody Parkey. Parkey was signed in the off-season after a career-high season in Miami where he kicked 91.3%. Parkey's season in Chicago was a roller coaster. Throughout the season Parkey was up and down. The Bears won the division and arguably were one of the hottest teams in the NFC. In a home-field wild card matchup against the Eagles, this is where Parkey's career came to an end. Parkey missed a game-winning field goal, notoriously known as the «double doink» bringing the Bear's magical season to an end.
2019 started with the great kicker battle. The Bears brought in virtually any kicker on the open market in an intense competition that was ultimately won by Eddie Pineiro. Pineiro had a solid first season in Chicago going 23-28 in his first season. Pineiro battled injuries and would not return to Chicago.
In 2020 the Bears brought in Cairo Santos once again. This was the beginning of the end of the kicker worries for the organization. In two seasons with the Bears, he quickly showed the organization he was the answer. Over the past two years, Santos has gone 56-62 and set a franchise record for 34 consecutive field goals made in the regular season. Santos has since signed a 3 year deal with the Bears and expects to continue his success in The Windy City for years to come.
