Prominent Chicago Bears player Receives a Wake-up Call
Despite a dismal 6-11 record in 2021 leading to the dismissal of general manager Ryan Pace, new GM Ryan Poles took the helm of the Chicago Bears with a clear vision to revitalize the team. He signaled a fresh start, initiating a sweeping clearout of players from the Pace era.
Bill Zimmerman of Windy City Gridiron predicts another player might soon join the list of departures:
"Cairo Santos, a notable player from the Ryan Pace era, could face the chopping block before the season begins."While Chicago's Soldier Field, infamous for its challenging weather conditions, tests the mettle of even the most experienced kickers, Santos held his own last season, successfully converting 21 of his 23 field-goal attempts.
However, the 31-year-old had five missed extra points to his name and failed to notch a field goal beyond 51 yards.
On May 4, the Bears welcomed kicker Andre Szmyt to their roster, an undrafted free agent signing that initially seemed designed to stoke a competitive fire in training camp. However, this acquisition may carry more significant implications for Santos. Szmyt, a former recipient of the 2018 Lou Groza Award recognizing the country's top kicker, has displayed a knack for long-range field goals.
Importantly for the Bears, Szmyt boasted a flawless extra point record last season at Syracuse, sinking all 40 attempts. Granted, these came from a college-standard two-yard line rather than the NFL's 15-yard line, but perfection is still an admirable feat.
Szmyt, at 24, brings youth and financial advantages to the table. His three-year contract commences at a modest $750K for this season, a stark contrast to Santos' $4.5 million cap hit.
Despite Santos' commendable field-goal performance last season and his 11 years in the NFL, it appears that his tenure with the Bears is under review. With Szmyt now in the mix, Santos is firmly on the radar.
| POLL | ||
16 AOUT | 65 ANSWERS Prominent Chicago Bears player Receives a Wake-up Call Should the Bears find a new kicker? | ||
| Yes | 35 | 53.8 % |
| No | 30 | 46.2 % |
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