One Possibility Not Discussed About the Bears Kicking Issues

The ideal scenario for the Chicago Bears kicking issues is simple. One of the three players remaining on the roster wins the job and goes into 2019 having a good season. Simple. However, things aren't always that easy. Chris Blewitt? Elliot Fry? Eddy Pineiro? Not a single one of them has ever actually kicked in an NFL regular season game.

Pineiro got the closest with his preseason work last year. Fry played a season for the AAF but most consider that a minor league. Blewitt? He hasn't kicked anywhere since graduating from Pitt. The lack of credibility is alarming to a lot of people. Still, the Bears seem intent on keeping open minds about this competition. All three have talent and deserve a chance.

So what happens if this doesn't work out? The Bears pick their kicker and he ends up being another mediocre disappointment. Could this lead to a fundamental shift in thinking for the Bears? One that sees them throw caution to the wind and avoid using their kicker whenever possible. Fourth down in opposing territory? Go for it. Post-touchdowns? Try for a two-point conversion.

It's an interesting question.

Chicago Bears kicking issues may push Matt Nagy to get aggressive

Head coach Matt Nagy has already shown he doesn't fear to be aggressive on offense. Or in general for that matter. He wants his team to attack at all times. Don't be afraid. Thus far he's tried to stay patient with the kicking game, but that may not continue forever. Not after it cost his team victories last season. He could take matters into his own hands.

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune admits this isn't an impossible idea.

"That approach would not give punter Pat O’Donnell much to do on Sundays. Matt Nagy got more aggressive when it came to two-point conversions last season after Cody Parkey began banging the uprights in his wacky Nov. 11 game against the Lions. If Nagy doesn’t have supreme confidence in his kicker, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him push the envelope on fourth downs and two-point conversions. We’ll have to see how the kicker(s) perform in the preseason."

Last season the Bears went for it on 4th down a total of 28 times. That was good for the second-most in the NFL. They converted 57.1% of them. So Nagy already doesn't seem to fear keeping the offense out there. Now that he has more talent than ever before, that confidence seems likely to grow. He'll give his new kicker a chance.

Don't be surprised though if they're struggling through September, he decides to keep them on the bench when faced with a field goal over 40 yards.