Chicago Bears fans know the rollercoaster that comes with Cairo Santos. He can frustrate you one minute and save the day the next. And while many of us have been quick to point out his flaws — myself included — Sunday was a reminder of who he really is: a clutch, reliable kicker when the Bears need him most.
Yes, he missed a kick early. That’s the part that sticks with fans, especially in close games. But what matters just as much is how he responded. Santos bounced back by drilling every kick after that, including a huge 54-yard field goal and, of course, the game-winner. That’s mental toughness most kickers simply don’t have.
His performance also made history. Santos now holds the Bears franchise record for most 50+ yard field goals (24), passing Robbie Gould’s 23. On top of that, he remains the most accurate kicker in Bears history, something that gets overshadowed because his leg isn’t as strong as some others around the league.
I’ve been one of his biggest critics at times. It’s easy to focus on the limitations — the shorter range, the occasional weird miss, the feeling that he’s a bit of a liability compared to the big-leg kickers around the NFL.
But the truth is simple: Cairo Santos consistently delivers in pressure moments. He’s earned the “C” on his chest, he’s earned the respect, and after Sunday, he’s earned an apology from me — and probably a lot of Bears fans too.
The Chicago Bears Can’t Keep Getting Away With This…
