Eddy Pineiro knew the opportunity before him when the Chicago Bears cut Elliot Fry last week. All he had to do was hit his kicks in the next two preseason games and the kicking job was his. Safe to say the man wasn’t about to fumble this chance. Not after what happened to him in Oakland. Pineiro connected on his first two kicks of the game in Indianapolis. An extra point following a defensive touchdown by Deon Bush and then a 21-yard field goal before the half.
However, it was his third kick deep into the 3rd quarter that caught everybody’s attention. After an offensive drive stalled, the Bears set him up for a 58-yard field goal attempt. It was easily the longest of the entire preseason and a clear message from the team that it was time for him to show what he could do. Pineiro didn’t disappoint as he drilled the kick right down the middle with some room to spare.
Needless to say, he was excited about it.
Nothing is set in stone just yet but it’s hard not to feel like this game may be the decisive turning point for the Bears kicking position. It feels like they may have their guy and GM Ryan Pace won’t have to go scouring the waiver wire for help at the end of the month.
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Eddy Pineiro finally looks the part of what the Bears need
Pineiro must feel vindicated at this point. It felt like his NFL career was ready to take off in 2018. He’d been the best kicker in camp for the Oakland Raiders and started their preseason a perfect 3-for-3. Then he injured his groin and was lost for the season, allowing Daniel Carlson to steal his job. The Bears moved in to trade for him earlier this offseason and from there he battled through a hard string of tests to be the last man standing.
Unless he suffers some sort of mental breakdown in the preseason finale next week, the job is effectively his. This is what the Bears wanted. He’s young with an outstanding leg and sturdy self-confidence. He has a chance to be their kicker for a long time. If it ends up panning out, that’s another heady trade we can add to Pace’s growing list from the Raiders. First Khalil Mack and now maybe a long-term starting kicker.
