Chicago Bears: Possible replacements for Cody Parkey in 2019
By Ryan Heckman
Stephen Gostkowski
You’d have to believe the New England Patriots would bring back Stephen Gostkowski next year. But, anything is possible. His contract is up after this season, and he would surely be one of the best options available to the Bears, should they cut ties with Parkey.
Gostkowski owns a career field goal percentage of 87.4, with five seasons above 90 percent since his rookie year in 2006. He has only missed seven extra points in 13 seasons.
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Back in the summer of 2015, the Patriots signed Gostkowski to a record 4-year, $17.2 million contract. He was guaranteed $10.1 million. Coming off of that contract, Gostkowski has done nothing short of being one of the best kickers in all of football.
Assuming he and his agent feel his value has stayed the same, if not risen, in comparison to the kicking market, he’ll be up for another fat contract this offseason. Judging how the rest of the NFL fared in kicking this past regular season, Gostkowski is as much of a safety net as you could possibly ask for.
It would be a lot of money for Pace to fork over, nixing Parkey’s contract and signing Gostkowski, but it’s all in the name of winning, right?