The Bears face several pressing issues on their roster, with the offensive and defensive lines being the most significant concerns heading into the 2025 offseason. Addressing these areas will likely be the primary focus in free agency and the NFL Draft. However, another critical area for improvement is the kicking game.
Cairo Santos has been reliable in terms of accuracy, but his weaker leg and low trajectory on kicks are problematic. The bigger issue is his inability to be trusted for long-range field goals. For example, the decision not to attempt a 57-yard field goal on Thursday night against Seattle reflects a lack of confidence in his range. While Santos has been a dependable kicker, this limitation has cost the Bears opportunities throughout the season.
The Bears need a new kicker. You need to have a guy who can hit from 57 yards.
Cario Santos is a good dude. But it's time to move on.
— Dave (@dave_bfr) December 27, 2024
Will Chicago move on from Cairo Santos?
The Bears signed Santos to a four-year, $16 million contract extension with $9.5 million guaranteed. Financially, moving on from Santos is feasible: cutting him before June 1 would result in a $2.1 million cap hit, while a post-June 1 cut would save the Bears $1 million. A trade is another option, but finding a market for a kicker without a strong leg might be challenging.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
While Santos’s accuracy is valuable, his inability to attempt longer field goals limits the Bears competitiveness. If the team wants to contend seriously in the future, they need a kicker capable of making high-pressure, long-distance kicks. Whether through competition, a trade, or a release, it might be time for the Bears to explore other options in the kicking game to gain every possible advantage in this unforgiving league.
There’s a kicker on TikTok routinely hitting 74 yarders. Not sure who he is but he’s viral now. Maybe bring him in for a try out.
“Former TikTok’er wins the 2027 Superbowl on game winning 75 yard FG!”
Imagine that? You are on your own 42 yard line on 4th down and roll out the FG kicker. Lol
Agree. Santos should be replaced.
His success pct drops considerably over 40 yards and doesn’t have the leg to hit from over 50 when needed. In tight games where a FG decides who wins, teams need a solid kicker from ALL distances!
There have been several instances where the Bears couldn’t win or tie a game because the offense wasn’t in Santos’ range yet!!! F’ that.
I remember when the Bears faced a decision with Robbie Gould. We all saw the results of THAT decision. Bring in competition next off season, and let the replacement EARN the job. IMO
In a day and,age,where kickers routinely hit kicks of 55+ yards, and do so rather easily, yes it’s time to move on. He’s a solid kicker from short range, but when ur kicker can’t hit anything 50 or over, yea that just doesn’t cut it. He has a weak leg in a windy stadium. Not a good combo. But to be fair, he’s not even in the top 10 of players needing to be replaced on King Poles shitty roster.
The least of our worries. The dude is one of our only consistent performers. Be careful what you wish for.