There will be no punter competition this offseason for the Chicago Bears.
After drafting Tory Taylor in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft, the Bears have waived Trenton Gill, according to ESPN’s Field Yates.
The Bears drafted Gill in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL draft, which marked general manager Ryan Poles’ first draft class. Gill served as the team’s punter for the past two seasons, but he hit a bit of a sophomore slump.
Gill’s punt average did increase from his rookie season (by .1%), and he had some solid performances. His best game came against the Cardinals, where Gill averaged 52 yards per punt, including a career-long 76-yarder, and downed two punts inside the 20-yard line, which is something he struggled with at times. Gill had eight touchbacks on the season, which was up five from his rookie year. He downed 18 punts inside the 20-yard line on the year.
After drafting Iowa P Tory Taylor, the Bears have now waived P Trenton Gill.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) May 1, 2024
While the Taylor selection came as a surprise — especially for a team that entered the draft with just four picks — the Bears landed a difference maker in Taylor, who they believe can be a weapon for them.
Taylor was college football’s best punter, and he has the ability to flip the field that helped Iowa win football games because their offense couldn’t move the ball.
Poles called Taylor “one of the best punters I’ve ever seen.”
Now, there’s no doubt Taylor will be the guy. Although, if rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has his way, Taylor won’t be punting much in Chicago.