Having a good kicker can be the difference between going 10-6 and making the playoffs or 8-8 and being stuck in NFL purgatory. The Chicago Bears knew that well, after years of being spoiled by kicker Robbie Gould.
Last season, after a difficult 2015 season for Gould, the Bears decided to part ways with their long-time kicker and brought in a cheaper option in Connor Barth. While the money freed up was used to sign Josh Sitton who is a great value for the Bears’ offensive line, the results at kicker with Barth were not good.
Barth connected on only 18 of 23 field goals, good for only 78%, and he was only 4 for 7 at 40 yards and out.