The Curse of Robbie Gould really is growing into something special. Or at least it seems that way. No matter what GM Ryan Pace has tried since the veteran was released back in 2016, everything he’s tried at the Chicago Bears kicking position has met with disaster. Connor Barth was bad. Cody Parkey was worse. Now the competition they’re using to try to finally solve the problem?
It’s not going well.
Tuesday’s veteran minicamp practice may have been the low point of the battle thus far. Chris Blewitt, Elliott Fry, and Eddy Pineiro all took their turns on a 42-yard attempt. The team was using their trademark “Augusta Silence” tactic to create a little extra tension. Sure enough, all three of them miss. One hit the goal post, another went wide left, and the other wide right.
This is the sort of stuff you just can’t make up. Head coach Matt Nagy sounded every bit as frustrated as everybody else who was watching.
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Chicago Bears kicking competition may not survive training camp
Give the Bears credit. They’re trying not to have knee-jerk reactions to this process. They want to let this play out a little longer. However, given the trend this competition has taken, it isn’t hard to see where the ultimate destination will be. Odds are they will pull the plug on the entire thing, dump all three kickers and just go out and sign a veteran.
There are a number of notable names still out there who are certain to be on a short list of options. Topping it is former Pro Bowler Matt Bryant. Though 44-years old he went 20-of-21 in an injury-shortened 2018 for Atlanta. There is also Kai Forbath who has really done well over the past three years between Minnesota and Jacksonville, hitting 51-of-58 field goals.
There is also 37-year old Mike Nugent who was a perfect 6-for-6 in three games for Oakland last year. He was also 4-of-4 during a brief stint in Chicago back in 2017. So there are some short-term options out there. Unless one of these three kids can step up their game, it’s possible the Bears might be placing a phone call sooner than later.
