Chicago Bears: 5 players who may not return in 2021

2. Punter Pat O’Donnell

The Bears had a potential ‘out’ with Pat O’Donnell‘s contract in 2020, but chose to keep him on the second year of a two-year contract he signed last offseason.

More from Da Windy City

• 3 takeaways from Chicago Blackhawks shootout loss to Nashville
• Chicago Cubs in the middle of chaos that is Shohei Ohtani’s free agency
• The Chicago Cubs are on a roller coaster of emotions chasing Shohei Ohtani
• Chicago Bears quietly compiling list of head coaching candidates
• Chicago White Sox News: Erick Fedde signs two-year deal

Last year, O’Donnell punted the third-most times in all of football (80). Still, he only managed to get the ball downed inside the 20-yard line 26 times, which was good for only 16th in the league. Now, the offense didn’t help him out much by sometimes putting O’Donnell in a tough spot, punting close to his own end zone (like pictured above).

But, when looking at his overall averages, O’Donnell finished 24th out of 32 punters in yards per punt at 44.8 yards.

He’s been the Bears’ punter since being drafted back in 2014, and the last couple of seasons Chicago has kind of stuck with him because of a lack of many other options. However, in 2021, I think it’s time to move on and find a punter who is capable of finishing in the top half of the league in most necessary categories.

Boasting a defense like the Bears do, it would be nice to have a punter set that unit up for even more success, which could potentially lead to more takeaways, thus more points.