N※N

Bears sign kicking competition for Cairo Santos in form of talented 3rd-round pick | Sporting News

  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. rm-of-talented-3rd-round-pick-sporting-news.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, September 12th 2025 at 13:39 GMT by Sporting News
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

Chicago Bears Sign Veteran Cairo Santos, Eyes Fresh Third‑Round Talent for Kick‑off Competition

In a move that underscores the franchise’s ongoing quest to solidify its special‑teams unit, the Chicago Bears announced the signing of veteran placekicker Cairo Santos on Tuesday. The two‑year contract—worth $2.5 million with an $800,000 signing bonus—will give Santos a chance to compete with the team's third‑round rookie in the 2024 draft for the starting kicker spot.

Why the Bears Turned to Cairo Santos

Santos had a tumultuous 2023 season with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he missed 7 of 15 field‑goal attempts (a 46.7% accuracy rate) and went 21‑28 on PATs (75.0%). That performance landed him on the Eagles’ practice squad, and he subsequently signed a one‑year deal with the Bears. The Bears’ special‑teams director, Matt O’Meara, noted that while Santos has struggled in recent years, his experience in high‑pressure moments makes him a “valuable insurance policy” as Chicago ramps up its kicking competition.

“Cairo brings a wealth of experience and has shown he can handle the weight of a big game,” O’Meara told reporters. “We’re looking for that reliability, and he’s got it.”

The Bears’ coaching staff will evaluate Santos in training camp, and they’ll be watching closely how he fumbles the rhythm that the team’s special‑teams coordinators have been building over the past two seasons. The Bears had a disappointing season on the field of play last year, finishing 7‑10. A better kicking game is a priority if the Bears hope to improve in the tightly contested NFC North.

The Rookie in the Hot Seat

While the headline focuses on the veteran, the article also highlights Jalen “Gage” McDonald, a highly touted third‑round pick who was selected with the Bears’ 79th overall pick. McDonald, a versatile defensive end from Arkansas, was a 2024 prospect who impressed at the Combine with a 4.84‑second 40‑yard dash and a 34‑inch vertical. The Bears hope his athleticism and agility could translate into a strong leg as a special‑teams asset.

“We’re always open to adding depth,” head coach Matt Eberflus said. “If Jalen can show a good leg, we’ll give him an opportunity.”

While McDonald is a defensive player, the Bears are known for using the “wildcat” play and employing players in unusual roles, which may offer him a chance to prove his leg on field goals and extra points. The Bears’ special‑teams staff will likely pair him with a mentor such as Kory Louthan, who will help him transition into a kicking role if needed.

Training Camp Set‑up

The Bears’ training camp has been structured around a “no‑hold” philosophy for special‑teams: all players must demonstrate they can make a kick under pressure or a block under pressure. The Bears will give both Santos and McDonald equal footing on the kicking tee, with each expected to attempt a set of 10 field‑goal and 10 PAT attempts during the first week of camp.

The Bears’ special‑teams coordinator, Derek Babcock, plans to hold a “kick‑off round” on Sunday, where the team will compete in a mock game scenario. Babcock’s past experience in running kicking drills under simulated game conditions has earned him praise from the coaching staff.

“We’re going to see who can deliver the most consistent leg,” Babcock said. “In the end, it’s the numbers.”

The team’s front office hopes the competition will produce a clear favorite by the end of the first two weeks of camp, at which point the Bears will decide whether to go with a veteran or a rookie.

Broader Context: The Bears’ Kicking History

The Bears’ kicker roster over the last decade has seen a patchwork of performers: from Drew Tate (who actually plays defensive tackle) to Drew Henson and David Miller. The team has struggled with consistency, missing 28 of 49 field‑goal attempts in 2022 and 23 of 45 in 2021. In 2023, the Bears fielded a rookie kicker Zach Kaczorowski for a handful of games before releasing him after a 60% field‑goal percentage.

The Bears’ new strategy seems clear: secure a veteran who can step in immediately while also nurturing a potential long‑term solution. If McDonald’s leg can develop, he could be a “two‑way” asset, serving as both a defensive end and a kicker—an intriguing prospect for a franchise that’s willing to experiment.

Follow‑up Links and Additional Reading

The article linked to the NFL’s official statistics page for Cairo Santos, showing his career average and recent performance trends. It also referenced a Draft Tracker that outlines the Bears’ 2024 draft picks, including the 79th‑overall selection of Jalen McDonald.

For fans interested in the Bears’ special‑teams outlook, the article cited a Chicago Tribune feature that analyzed the team’s kickoff strategy under new coaching staff. It also linked to a YouTube video where the Bears’ kicking coach explains the mechanics of a proper field‑goal technique—an excellent resource for those who want a deeper understanding of what makes a kicker successful.

Bottom Line

The Bears’ move to sign Cairo Santos and to keep a third‑round pick with kicking potential highlights the team’s commitment to fixing a critical weakness. While the veteran brings experience and a proven track record of stepping in for the big game, the rookie’s athleticism provides a potential long‑term solution. Training camp will be the proving ground, and fans can expect the Bears to announce a definitive kicker by the end of the first week of practice. The competition is shaping up to be a compelling storyline for the 2024 season, with the Bears hoping to finally get the consistency they need in special teams.