The Chicago Bears found their kicker in Cairo Santos, you could say accidentally, last season. Now, they’re making sure they keep him in Chicago for the long haul.
The Bears have agreed to terms with Santos on a five-year deal worth $16 million with a mx value of $17.5 million, according to Chicago Tribune‘s Brad Biggs. Biggs also notes that the final two years of Santos’ deal are voidable, so it’s actually a 3-year deal worth $9 million with a maximum value of $11 million.
After a record-setting season, #Bears have agreed to terms with K Cairo Santos on a $16M, 5-year contract with a max value of $17.5M.
Final 2 years of deal are voidable so it's really a $9M, 3-year deal with max value of $11M.
No more kicker carousel.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) March 12, 2021
Santos got his opportunity with the Bears after Eddy Pineiro suffered a groin injury during training camp. Santos was brought in as an insurance policy, but he wound up not only playing himself into a starting role but recording an historic season for the Bears.
Santos was one of the best kickers in the NFC, where he connected on 30-of-32 field goals (93.75%) and broke Chicago’s franchise record for consecutive made field goals with 27, eclipsing Robbie Gould’s record of 26 and exorcising the team’s kicker demons.
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