BREAKING: Chicago Bears release K Cairo Santos and bring back fan favorite K Cody Parkey!
In an unexpected twist of events, the Chicago Bears have decided to release placekicker Cairo Santos and bring back fan favorite kicker Cody Parkey, shaking up the special teams unit as the NFL season continues to unfold. The move has sent shockwaves through the football community, as Santos had been a steady and reliable performer for the Bears over the past few seasons. Meanwhile, Parkey’s return after a controversial stint in Chicago has sparked mixed reactions, with some fans celebrating his return, while others remain skeptical.
Cairo Santos had joined the Bears in 2020, stepping in to replace Eddy Pineiro after an injury-riddled 2019 campaign that saw the team struggle to find stability at the kicker position. Santos quickly made a name for himself by being one of the most accurate and consistent kickers in the league during his time in Chicago. In fact, over the past three seasons, Santos had converted 91.1% of his field-goal attempts, a remarkable figure that positioned him among the league’s elite kickers.
His steady performance was instrumental in stabilizing the Bears’ special teams unit, and for the most part, he had been able to execute under pressure. Whether it was a game-winning kick or a critical extra point, Santos displayed the poise and professionalism that kickers need in order to succeed in the NFL. His accuracy, especially from longer distances, had been one of the major reasons the Bears felt comfortable keeping him around.
Yet, in a surprising turn of events, the Bears decided to part ways with Santos. The reasons behind the decision are still unclear, and many speculations have begun to surface regarding the motivations behind the release. Some insiders believe that the team wanted to free up cap space for potential roster moves, as the Bears have a long list of players they may need to address before the trade deadline. Others suggest that the coaching staff, led by head coach Matt Eberflus, may have simply wanted a change in special teams philosophy.
What is undeniable, however, is that Santos had earned the trust of his coaches and teammates, and his departure signals a new direction for the Bears’ special teams unit. His steady leg and reliable footwork had been one of the few constants for a team that has faced significant challenges in recent years.
On the other hand, the return of Cody Parkey has brought a wave of nostalgia and, understandably, some controversy. Parkey’s first stint with the Bears is most memorable for a dramatic and gut-wrenching miss that occurred during the 2018 NFC Wild Card Game against the Philadelphia Eagles. That miss, which hit the upright and bounced away, became one of the most memorable moments in Bears’ playoff history and a symbol of the team’s struggles at the kicker position.
Parkey’s miss on that fateful night left him with a blemish on his career that seemed difficult to shake. However, what many fans may not know is that Parkey, despite the infamous miss, had actually been one of the more reliable kickers in the league prior to joining the Bears. After leaving Chicago, Parkey spent a season with the Cleveland Browns, where he put together a solid performance, even earning praise from coaches and teammates for his ability to contribute to the team’s success. He finished the 2019 season with a 90.9% field-goal conversion rate, showing that he still had the leg and the consistency to succeed at the NFL level.
Fast forward to today, and the Bears have opted to bring back Parkey in a move that has taken many by surprise. The kicker, who had been a free agent for a while, will now return to the team that gave him his big opportunity in the NFL. Although the memory of his missed kick in the postseason will forever linger, Parkey has worked hard to put the past behind him, and his return marks a new chapter in his career.
Bears fans have had a complicated relationship with Parkey. On one hand, his 2018 season was filled with ups and downs, and the playoff miss undoubtedly left a bitter taste in the mouths of many. But on the other hand, Parkey’s efforts following that moment have gone somewhat underappreciated, as he managed to rebound and continue his career. His return to the Bears is seen by some as a redemption arc – a chance to rewrite his legacy in Chicago and make up for the heartbreak he caused all those years ago.
Parkey himself has expressed a desire to prove himself to both his teammates and the fans. In a statement released after the news of his signing, he said, “I’m excited to be back in Chicago, and I know that I have a lot to prove. I’ve been working hard to get back to my best form, and I’m looking forward to helping the team in any way I can. I’ve learned a lot since my first stint here, and I’m ready to show that I can be a valuable part of this team.”
There is no denying that Parkey’s return carries with it a level of pressure. The expectations for him will be high, and there are already plenty of eyes on him as he returns to the team that once viewed him as a potential long-term solution at kicker. Bears fans will be hoping that Parkey can perform under the spotlight and silence any lingering doubts about his ability to perform at the NFL level.
It is also worth noting that Parkey is rejoining a Bears team that is in a different place than the one he left. The 2025 Bears have a new coaching staff, a revamped roster, and an entirely different culture. With Eberflus at the helm, the team is looking to establish its identity, and special teams play will certainly play an important role in the success of the team. Parkey’s leg could be a critical asset in close games, especially given the importance of field position in today’s NFL.
Another factor contributing to Parkey’s signing could be the competitive landscape in the NFC North. The Bears are entering a crucial period in their rebuilding process, and every move counts as they try to climb out of the depths of the division. Special teams could very well become a deciding factor in tight divisional games, where a field goal or extra point can make all the difference.
The fact that the Bears have decided to part ways with Santos and bring in Parkey signals their willingness to make bold decisions and adjust their roster in search of a winning formula. While Santos was a reliable kicker, the team may feel that Parkey offers a fresh perspective and the potential for a strong second chapter in Chicago.
This move will no doubt be closely watched by fans and analysts alike as the season progresses. The Bears’ special teams unit will now be under the microscope more than ever, and all eyes will be on Parkey to see if he can deliver when it matters most.
While the Parkey signing may seem like a controversial decision, the reality is that the NFL is a league built on second chances, and Parkey has certainly earned his opportunity to prove that he can contribute to a successful team. His previous success with the Browns, coupled with his determination to redeem himself in Chicago, makes him a compelling figure in the Bears’ locker room.
As the news settles in, one thing is clear: the Bears have made a bold statement by letting go of Santos and bringing back a kicker with a storied history in Chicago. It remains to be seen how this will play out, but one thing is for certain – the special teams unit in Chicago is about to enter a new chapter, one that may very well be defined by Cody Parkey’s quest for redemption and his desire to silence the critics once and for all.
Only time will tell whether this decision will prove to be the right one for the Bears. But in the meantime, fans can rest assured that the drama surrounding the kicker position has taken a new and intriguing twist. Whether this turn of events will lead to future success or more heartbreak, only the games on the field will determine. But one thing is for sure – the Bears’ special teams unit has become a focal point of the 2025 season, and with Cody Parkey back in the fold, the story is far from over.