Reports surfaced earlier today that the Bears were working out three kickers at Halas Hall … as part of their latest round of tryouts … that will hopefully build a competition … that will eventually unearth a winner … to fill the vacant place-kicking position for the 2019 season. Exhales.
Here’s an update:
#Bears do not plan to sign a kicker after today's tryout that included Caleb Sturgis, Younghoe Koo & Nick Rose. Chris Blewitt & Redford Jones remain the 2 kickers under contract on team's roster.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) April 10, 2019
Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune provides an update to the situation and reports that nothing has changed when it comes to the Bears’ kicking situation.
The team does not intend to sign Nick Rose, Younghoe Koo, or Caleb Sturgis after the Wednesday tryout. That means the two kickers were signed earlier in the offseason – Redford Jones and Chris Blewitt – are still the only ones on the Bears’ roster and their search for more competition continues.
Despite the apparent decision to pass on signing any of the three kickers, I still feel like the Bears could be in the market to add an experienced kicker to their mix. Because even if Jones, Blewitt, or a rookie kicker to be named later gets the gig, there is nothing to be lost by having someone with NFL game experience taking the competition to another level. Jones and Blewitt were impressive enough in earlier tryouts to get signed onto the roster, but neither has an NFL field goal attempt under their respective belts to this point and going to training camp without one kicker with pro experience doesn’t seem all that ideal.
To be clear, the Bears not signing a kicker today doesn’t mean they won’t sign one down the line. Because even if Chicago signed a kicker today, they won’t get a better look at him until mini-camp started in May when the second phase of the offseason training program gets underway. Because when OTAs open up on April 15, those activities will be limited to strength and conditioning, as well as physical rehabilitation. On-field workouts cannot begin until after that phase is complete and the second phase gets under way with individual drills.
So exercise some patience, folks. The Bears will have a new kicker soon enough, but only after creating a competition and letting the best player earn their way into the position.