If you couldn’t get enough of last year’s kicking competition, Ryan Pace has good news for you.
During Pace’s pre-draft conference call with reporters, the Bears general manager revealed he expects an open competition between Pineiro and newly-signed kicker Ramiz Ahmed, according to Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times.
Bears GM Ryan Pace says it's an open competition at kicker between Eddy Pineiro and newcomer Ramiz Ahmed.
— Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) April 21, 2020
The news isn’t earth-shattering, considering Pineiro struggled at times during his first season in Chicago, converting 23of-28 field goals and 27-of-29 extra points. His low point of the season came on a missed game-winning kick against the Los Angeles Chargers that essentially derailed his season before he was able to find his footing (no pun intended) to finish the season strong.
Pace told reporters he still believes in Pineiro, but acknowledges the competition will be benefit both players.
“We see those guys competing,” Pace said. “We love Eddy and think his future’s very bright. But those two competing against each other is a really good thing.”
Ahmed, signed late last week, was brought in to push Pineiro in camp, but the stakes were raised when Pace signaled both would compete for the starting job. Ahmed last kicked in college as a member of the Nevada Wolf Pack in 2018. He made 15 of 20 field goals during his final season.
The competition, or kicker battle 2.0, is unlikely to replicate last year’s circus that saw nearly a dozen players compete to go to training camp. The competition came down to Pineiro and Elliott Fry, with Pineiro emerging as the winner. Barring any surprising developments, this year’s competition should be a bit more tame.
While all eyes will be glued to the heavily anticipated quarterback competition between Trubisky and newcomer Nick Foles, the battle between Ahmed and Pineiro will still be worth monitoring when the Bears begin training camp.
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