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The Chicago Bears are in the middle of an important offseason, where they're looking to develop into a contender under new head coach Ben Johnson.
Following a busy free agency that included some big-name additions, including offensive linemen Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson and Drew Dalman, as well as defensive linemen Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo, the Bears are shifting their focus toward the 2025 NFL draft.
Chicago has seven draft picks, even after their two trades, including four in the Top 75 -- 10th overall, a pair of high second rounders and a third-round selection.
Here at Bears Wire, we're going position by position to break down where Chicago stands entering the 2025 NFL draft. We're wrapping things up with special teams, which appears to be set in stone as the Bears return their three starters from a year ago.
Cairo Santos has brought stability to the Bears kicking position which had been lacking since Robbie Gould. But Santos had his worst season since joining the Bears. He wasn't terrible, but there were some notable ups and downs. He connected on just 84% of his field goals in 2024, which was his lowest since signing with Chicago. His biggest struggle came in the 40-49 range, where he connected on just 5-of-8. By contrast, Santos made every field goal but one beyond 50 yards, including the game-winner against the Packers in the season finale. Santos' longest field goal of the season was a 54-yarder against the Texans in Week 2.
The Bears stunned everyone when they used a fourth-round pick on punter Tory Taylor, but he proved to be one of the more reliable players on the roster. In his first season with Chicago, Taylor showcased his booming leg and how he can flip the field. That's not to say his season was perfect, but he was a clear upgrade over former punter Trenton Gill. Taylor averaged 47.7 yards per punt, downed 34 punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line and his longest punt was 68 yards.
Patrick Scales had long been a mainstay at long snapper, but a back injury thrust Scott Daly into the starting lineup for the entire 2024 season. He did miss most of the Jaguars game in London, where he was replaced by tight end Cole Kmet, who won NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his emergency services. But Daly showed the Bears enough to earn a one-year contract extension.
While Scales served as Chicago's long snapper since 2015, he had season-ending back surgery before the start of the 2024 season that ended his season. It also ultimately cost him his job, as Scott Daly proved to be a reliable replacement, who earned a one-year extension.
Chicago made some moves during free agency to extend a couple of core special teamers in Josh Blackwell and Amen Ogbongbemiga. But as far as the core three specialists go, everything appears set this season, barring some unforeseen circumstance. While Chicago did use a fourth-round pick on Tory Taylor in last year's NFL draft, that won't be the case in this year's draft. Despite Cairo Santos' struggles last season, the Bears feel content to roll with him again next season rather than sign or draft a kicker. Scott Daly proved himself to be a reliable long snapper with Patrick Scales out for the season, which earned Daly a one-year extension.
The Bears aren't necessarily in the market for a kicker with Cairo Santos locked down for another couple of years, but it wouldn't be a complete surprise if they brought in competition in the final rounds of the NFL draft or via undrafted free agency. There are several NFL-ready placekickers in this draft class, including Andre Borregales, Ben Sauls and Ryan Fitzgerald. Chicago certainly won't be looking for a punter after using a fourth-round pick on Tory Taylor last year, but there are some solid punters for teams in need, including James Burnip and Luke Elzinga.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2025 NFL draft preview: Where do Chicago Bears stand at special teams?
Continue reading...
Following a busy free agency that included some big-name additions, including offensive linemen Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson and Drew Dalman, as well as defensive linemen Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo, the Bears are shifting their focus toward the 2025 NFL draft.
Chicago has seven draft picks, even after their two trades, including four in the Top 75 -- 10th overall, a pair of high second rounders and a third-round selection.
Here at Bears Wire, we're going position by position to break down where Chicago stands entering the 2025 NFL draft. We're wrapping things up with special teams, which appears to be set in stone as the Bears return their three starters from a year ago.
Who's on the roster?
- Cairo Santos
- Tory Taylor
- Scott Daly
Cairo Santos has brought stability to the Bears kicking position which had been lacking since Robbie Gould. But Santos had his worst season since joining the Bears. He wasn't terrible, but there were some notable ups and downs. He connected on just 84% of his field goals in 2024, which was his lowest since signing with Chicago. His biggest struggle came in the 40-49 range, where he connected on just 5-of-8. By contrast, Santos made every field goal but one beyond 50 yards, including the game-winner against the Packers in the season finale. Santos' longest field goal of the season was a 54-yarder against the Texans in Week 2.
The Bears stunned everyone when they used a fourth-round pick on punter Tory Taylor, but he proved to be one of the more reliable players on the roster. In his first season with Chicago, Taylor showcased his booming leg and how he can flip the field. That's not to say his season was perfect, but he was a clear upgrade over former punter Trenton Gill. Taylor averaged 47.7 yards per punt, downed 34 punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line and his longest punt was 68 yards.
Patrick Scales had long been a mainstay at long snapper, but a back injury thrust Scott Daly into the starting lineup for the entire 2024 season. He did miss most of the Jaguars game in London, where he was replaced by tight end Cole Kmet, who won NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his emergency services. But Daly showed the Bears enough to earn a one-year contract extension.
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Who departed this offseason?
- Patrick Scales
While Scales served as Chicago's long snapper since 2015, he had season-ending back surgery before the start of the 2024 season that ended his season. It also ultimately cost him his job, as Scott Daly proved to be a reliable replacement, who earned a one-year extension.
Positional need: Low
Chicago made some moves during free agency to extend a couple of core special teamers in Josh Blackwell and Amen Ogbongbemiga. But as far as the core three specialists go, everything appears set this season, barring some unforeseen circumstance. While Chicago did use a fourth-round pick on Tory Taylor in last year's NFL draft, that won't be the case in this year's draft. Despite Cairo Santos' struggles last season, the Bears feel content to roll with him again next season rather than sign or draft a kicker. Scott Daly proved himself to be a reliable long snapper with Patrick Scales out for the season, which earned Daly a one-year extension.
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Top draft prospects
- Andre Borregales, PK
- James Burnip, P
- Ben Sauls, PK
- Ryan Fitzgerald, PK
- Luke Elzinga, P
The Bears aren't necessarily in the market for a kicker with Cairo Santos locked down for another couple of years, but it wouldn't be a complete surprise if they brought in competition in the final rounds of the NFL draft or via undrafted free agency. There are several NFL-ready placekickers in this draft class, including Andre Borregales, Ben Sauls and Ryan Fitzgerald. Chicago certainly won't be looking for a punter after using a fourth-round pick on Tory Taylor last year, but there are some solid punters for teams in need, including James Burnip and Luke Elzinga.
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter and Facebook
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2025 NFL draft preview: Where do Chicago Bears stand at special teams?
Continue reading...
