Tag: andre szmyt

Commanders work out XFL kicker Andre Szmyt, others

The Commanders also brought in D.C. Defenders kicker Matt McCrane.

The Washington Commanders released veteran kicker Brandon McManus last week before their final week of Organized Training Activities (OTAs). McManus faced allegations of sexual assault from his time with the Jacksonville Jaguars last year.

Washington signed Ramiz Ahmed last week, giving the team a kicker ahead of its final week of OTAs. Ahmed, 29, kicked collegiately at Nevada and spent some time with the Bears and Packers. He never attempted a field goal or extra point in a game. Ahmed also spent time in the UFL this spring with the Birmingham Stallions.

Now, the Commanders are looking to give Ahmed some competition.

Washington brought in another former UFL kicker, Andre Szmyt, for a workout on Tuesday morning before it begins its three day mandatory minicamp.

Szmyt, 25, kicked collegiately at Syracuse, where he won the Lou Groza Award and was a unanimous All-American in 2018. He signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2023 but did not make the roster. Szmyt spent this spring with the St. Louis Battlehawks, where he was excellent, making 19 of his 21 field goal attempts. He had a long of 61 yards and was four of five from 50 yards and beyond.

Washington also brought in D.C. Defenders kicker Matt McCrane for a workout.

McCrane spent the past two seasons with the Defenders and has quietly been outstanding. He played college football at Kansas State and has spent time with the Cardinals, Raiders, Steelers, Browns and Eagles, mostly on the offseason rosters. He has attempted 12 NFL field goals, making eight of them.

In a game this April, McCrane hit field goals from 58, 54 and 49 yards in a Defenders’ win.

Chicago Bears 2023 training camp preview: Special teams

As Bears training camp begins, we wrap up our position previews with special teams, where a kicking competition could be on the horizon.

Chicago Bears training camp is finally here, so it’s time to start looking ahead at the roster the team is bringing to Lake Forest.

We’re unveiling our Bears 2023 training camp position previews, breaking down every player by position and examining the group’s biggest question.

Finishing the series out are the specialists, headlined by kicker Cairo Santos, punter Trenton Gill, and long snapper Patrick Scales.

It’s expected that these three will be the trio of specialists when the season begins. But the Bears still have another kicker on the roster, Andre Szmyt, who could make things interesting.

Here’s a closer look at the Bears’ specialists:

8 Bears rookies to watch during training camp

There’s plenty of excitement surrounding this Bears rookie class. Here are the most intriguing rookies to watch at training camp.

The Chicago Bears have an intriguing 2023 rookie draft class, headlined by first-round offensive tackle Darnell Wright.

General manager Ryan Poles addressed a slew of needs with his 10 draft picks, where many of these rookies are expected to contribute immediately this season.

As the Bears prepare for training camp later this month, this class of rookies has a lot to prove and learn ahead of some valuable preseason action in August.

Here’s a look at the eight most intriguing Bears rookies to watch during training camp:

What does Bears’ addition of rookie Andre Szmyt mean for Cairo Santos?

After the addition of UDFA rookie Andre Szmyt, many have wondered what that means for Cairo Santos. Bears STC Richard Hightower explained.

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The Chicago Bears have spent the offseason overhauling their roster with veterans and rookies. But it’s the addition of undrafted rookie kicker Andre Szmyt that has caused plenty of speculation about veteran Cairo Santos’s future.

Santos has been a reliable kicker since joining the Bears in 2020. But last season, Santos struggled at times with extra points, missing five in 2022. Still, Santos remains one of the NFL’s most accurate kickers, connecting on 91.7% of his field goals (seventh in the league).

Bears special teams coordinator Richard Hightower indicated that Santos’ job is all but safe, if he plays up to his high standards.

“Cairo Santos finished like fifth in the NFL in kicking field goals,” Hightower said, via NBC Sports Chicago. “So I mean if you call that struggling, fifth in the NFL in field goals… I understand the extra point question and he fixed that towards the end. I mean a lot of people would kill to have a top-five kicker.”

As for Szmyt, the Bears have always preached the importance of competition at all positions, and Hightower indicated as much.

“Competition’s always good,” Hightower said. “Having more than one leg in camp is always good. What I like about Andre the most is the fact that he’s a really really good player, a really good, quick ball-rise, strike, elevation. I like the fact that he’s got that one-track mind so he has the mental toughness and the fortitude to play that position. So it’s good. Working with him, just seeing him, and hopefully we can help him develop and be a player and help him contribute to the team, feed his family long-term. That’s what our job as coaches is, is to develop them while they’re here.”

While Santos will likely be Chicago’s starting kicker come Week 1, the kicker competition between him and Szmyt will certainly be something to monitor during the summer.

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7 Bears veterans who could lose their jobs to rookies

Some Bears veterans should be on notice with incoming rookies who could challenge them for their jobs.

The Chicago Bears have overhauled their roster ahead of the 2023 NFL season, where general manager Ryan Poles has added some veterans and rookies who could have significant impacts.

When looking at the 2023 NFL draft in particular, Poles appeared to draft (or sign) rookies who should contribute immediately. In fact, some of those players could challenge established veterans for their jobs.

Training camp and preseason will present some intriguing position battles that will have big implications on the depth chart.

From Cairo Santos to Kindle Vildor to Jack Sanborn, here are some Bears veterans who should be on notice with incoming rookies challenging them for their jobs.