Plenty of Chicago Bears fans were unmoved when the news hit that punt Pat O’Donnell had been re-signed to a two-year deal. The veteran former 6th round pick hasn’t been terrible during his time with the team. He hasn’t been good either. One could say he’s been a mixture of fine and not-so-fine. He’ll have a few good games and then a miserable one.
He can even switch those gears during games. The playoff loss to Philadelphia was a perfect example. Throughout the game, he hit some of the best punts of his career. Then on the one that counted most, he shanked it badly. That gave the Eagles a short field at their own 40-yard line, allowing them to drive just 60 yards for the winning touchdown.
Still, GM Ryan Pace didn’t see any better options on the free agent market. So he decided to bring O’Donnell back on a two-year deal worth $3.5 million. One would think this closes the door on the Bears making another move at punter. Then again, recent news may counter such an idea according to longtime NFL analyst Gil Brandt.
Linebacker coaches from Bengals, Eagles, Cowboys at @Utah_Football pro day to see Cody Barton, who stood on all his combine numbers but had an excellent workout.
Jets, Bears sent their ST coaches to see Mitch Wishnowsky, an impressive punter and former Aussie Rules Footballer
— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) April 3, 2019
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Mitch Wishnowsky falls in a rare special category for Chicago Bears to consider
It’s rare for punters to get any sort of attention in the NFL draft but Mitch Wishnowsky is proving an exception. The kid first made a name for himself playing Australian football. He eventually found his way to the U.S. where he landed at Utah and became one of the best punters in the nation. He won the Ray Guy award in 2016 and was a finalist again in 2017.
His 45.2-yard per punt average last year was 10th-best in the country.
Most teams always look for leg power first and Wishnowsky has it. Maybe not quite an elite level but more than enough to launch boomers from time to time. His gift instead lay with his control. Not only does he excel at booting his kick high, leading to minimal returns and lots of fair catches. His accuracy allowed him to place 24 kicks inside the 20-yard line last year alone.
The Senior Bowl showcased this back in January. His first punt went for 57 yards. His second went for 62. The guy has a leg. That he did what he did at Utah where the weather isn’t always the most cooperative only strengthens his case further. Would the Bears be willing to eat that contract given to O’Donnell if Wishnowsky is as good as it appears?
Don’t put it past Pace to do so.
