Chicago Bears, NFC North

Bears Looking To Improve Their Kicker Situation with Eddy Pineiro

Bears Looking To Improve Their Kicker Situation with Eddy Pineiro

The Chicago Bears wasted little time in releasing last seasons kicker Cody Parkey, who as well as missing a potential playoff winning field goal against the Eagles in 2018 had a pretty miserable time of it going 76.7% on his regular season field-goal attempts. Most (myself included) expected them to resign Robbie Gould from the 49ers who franchise tagged him most likely as they expected someone to come in for him. However, instead they have opted for a largely unproven player in the shape of Eddy Pineiro who has to start an NFL Game; the price – a conditional 7th round draft pick in 2021.

This looks like a bold move by the Bears – who are favourites for the NFC North in 2019 but they can probably expect the competition to be a bit stiffer this year as both the Packers & Vikings have been busy retooling their rosters and the Lions will be no pushovers either. So given the importance of a reliable kicker, why have the Bears decided to go this route when there are experienced free agents like Matt Bryant available?

Well despite his inexperience Eddy Pineiro has potential. He kicked all three of his field goal attempts in his preseason start for Oakland last year including a 48 yarder, and he was pretty consistent in his two years at Florida going 38-43 on FGs (88.4%) and 56-58 on point after attempts (96.56%). More importantly though he is 20-21 on FGs in his last two seasons, and overall including his college career, he is 5-5 from 50 yards plus, including a long of 54 yards.

Stats like these make the gamble worthwhile as he will be on the minimum salary and the 7th round pick is conditional on him making the squad. So it’s a no-risk signing and they can still try and cut a deal with San Francisco for Gould.  The only downside is they could end up starting the 2019 season with a huge question mark at a vital position if things don’t work out.  We will be watching the Gould situation closely over the next few months.

Image Credit Katherine Welles/Shutterstock

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