Chicago Bears: Risky free agents that could pay off
By Ryan Heckman
Kicker Dan Bailey
From 2011 to 2016, Dan Bailey was one of the best kickers in the NFL. He had become one of the few things the Dallas Cowboys could count on every single year during that span. Bailey seemed as though he would have a nice, long career in Dallas. However, after getting hurt and only playing in 12 games in 2017 while finishing 15-for-20 on field goals that year, the Cowboys released Bailey.
Entering 2018, the Minnesota Vikings were one of the favorites in the NFC. They had one big problem, though — kicking. The Vikings signed Bailey, thinking he would be their answer.
Last season, Bailey missed seven field goals (21-for-28) as well as coming short on one extra point. He is now a free agent, and the Bears have themselves a kicking problem as well.
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Cody Parkey is likely gone, and if Bailey came at a discount (the Bears would eat Parkey’s contract), he may end up panning out in the end. Let’s not forget, he’s done his job well for a while. It wasn’t until 2017 that it came unraveled a little bit, and Bailey wasn’t necessarily 100 percent healthy that year.
Kickers have had bad seasons and come back from them. Just look at Mason Crosby with the Green Bay Packers — that’s a prime example. The Bears need a kicker, period. The Bears probably can’t afford to spend much on a new kicker. For that reason, Bailey might be worth the risk.