As the Chicago Bears enter their bye week there is plenty of reason for reflection about the early-season accomplishments. This includes Cairo Santos, who while being far from perfect this season did end a narrative that Chicago isn't capable of winning a game if it were to come down to a long kick. This happened against the New England Patriots when the defending AFC champs were making a late-game charge and Ben Johnson took a risk allowing Santos to attempt a 58-yard kick.
The limitations on the Bears within the kicking game had previously been well established and the decision came as a true shock at the time. Santos didn't show any issues nailing the kick and opening up the idea that perhaps there is more range in the leg of the kicker than what has been previously shown. This is a huge confidence boost and a big deal when the Bears move into the playoffs and points are going to be more difficult to find.
Santos having the confidence he can make this kick after doing it in Chicago is lingering confidence for Johnson, and a button previously thought impossible. As we sit in the bye week, it is a great time for reflection on this possible weapon and what it means for the offense moving forward.
It is no longer just about the situation, because when you must have points, it becomes a desperation down, and there is a real conversation to be had about that. One made possible by a veteran kicker who has now proven the previous limitations are perhaps a thing of the past and not the standard moving forward.
Cairo Santos hands Bears interesting decision as team weighs kicker's ability
The question is whether this was an outlier of a clutch kick, or something that Chicago can lean on moving forward. The answer to this question is going to take a bit of time to answer. The rest of the season it wouldn't be a surprise to see Johnson give Santos more opportunities as they arise to find out the answer to this query.
Having a kicker capable of making this distance of kick in favorable circumstances is an undeniable weapon. One the Bears have lacked in recent memory and would gladly welcome if this part of the game has been added to the bag of Santos. It is at least worth giving the veteran a handful of chances so Johnson can judge whether it is a true postseason weapon.
Whatever the answer proves to be, there is no debate that Santos won a lot of fan appreciation coming through in the clutch and breathing hope into the belief that perhaps it is a sign of things to come.
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