It’s not a summer at Bears camp without something involving kickers that raises your eyebrows.
Even in what has been the most unpredictable summer of my lifetime, I should have seen this coming:
Matt Nagy says the #Bears will "definitely" keep two kickers around Halas Hall this season. Could be one on 53-man roster, one on practice squad.
— JJ Stankevitz (@JJStankevitz) August 25, 2020
Bears Head Coach Matt Nagy told reporters the team will keep two kickers this season. The roster cut-down deadline isn’t until 3 p.m. CT on September 5, so things could change by the time that arrives. However, Nagy made it clear that he intends to have a backup kicker for an in-case-of-emergency situation.
Before we start feeling angsty about a kicker competition, let’s not. It’s sensible to have a second kicker in times like this. With expanded practice squad rosters and eligibility rules, the Bears could keep recently re-signed Cairo Santos as the emergency option. Between Piñeiro’s injury history and the COVID-19 pandemic, having what is essentially a quarantined kicker isn’t the worst idea.
HOWEVER, I can’t see Chicago holding onto another kicker on the active roster. Envisioning that as a sensible option is more of a challenge. Considering uncertainty regarding depth along the offensive and defensive lines, as well as the secondary, a down-the-roster spot on gamely is probably better suited for a player at a different position.
Besides, if the Bears’ kicker can’t give it a go, I think I’m more confident in Nagy’s goal-line packages converting a two-point conversion than I am with a kicker making a PAT from 33 yards out.