Tag: Trenton Gill

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:

Bears 2022 rookie review: P Trenton Gill

Bears rookie punter Trenton Gill looked like a seasoned pro.

The Chicago Bears saw significant contributions from rookies on offense, defense and special teams during the 2022 season, whether it was from draft picks or undrafted free agents.

Following the departure of punter Pat O’Donnell in free agency, the Bears drafted Trenton Gill in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL draft. Gill made the transition from O’Donnell a seamless one, as Gill looked like a seasoned pro during his rookie year.

Let’s take a look back at Gill’s rookie season and see what we can expect for the future.

Bears 2022 STs review: Cairo Santos takes step back

We close out our Bears position series by looking at the special teams players, who took a collective step back last season.

The Chicago Bears wrapped the 2022 season with a 3-14 record, which culminated in a 10-game losing streak. But there’s still reasons to be optimistic about the future, including a boatload of salary cap space, the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft and the emergence of quarterback Justin Fields.

Here at Bears Wire, we’re going position by position through the 2022 Bears and grading every player. We close out the position series by looking at the special teams players, who took a collective step back last season.

Bye week grades for the Bears 2022 rookie draft class

Bye week grades for the Bears 2022 rookie draft class

The Chicago Bears won’t be taking the field this weekend due to their bye week, but it presents a good opportunity to evaluate their 11 draft picks they selected earlier this spring.

Some players have stood out in big ways, while others have disappointed despite getting numerous opportunities. And then there’s the other group that has seen just a few snaps here and there, waiting for their opportunity to make an impact.

After 13 games, here are our grades for the 2022 Bears draft class.

Studs and duds from Bears’ Week 1 win vs. 49ers

We’re taking a look at the studs and duds from the Bears’ Week 1 upset win against the 49ers.

The Chicago Bears opened the 2022 NFL season with a 19-10 upset win over the San Francisco 49ers.

It was a tale of two halves for the Bears, especially on offense. Chicago was held scoreless in the first half. After San Francisco went up 10-0, the Bears scored 19 unanswered points to open the season at 1-0.

There were plenty of players who played key roles in the Bears’ victory, including both rookies and veterans.

We’re taking a look at the studs and duds from Chicago’s win over San Francisco.

Bears punter Trenton Gill penalized for wiping down field with a towel

Bears punter Trenton Gill brought out a towel to wipe down the field, which apparently is a penalty.

It was an ugly start for the Chicago Bears in their season opener against the San Francisco 49ers, where their offense only made it past midfield once in the first half.

Just when it looked like the Bears offense could finally get some points on the board with a Cairo Santos field goal, an obscure penalty cost them valuable field position.

Bears rookie punter Trenton Gill brought out a towel to wipe down the area where Santos would be kicking, which apparently is a penalty. Gill was blasted with a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, which knocked them out of field goal range.

Instead of heading into halftime with some momentum (and with some points), the Bears trailed 7-0 at the half.

It was one of those obscure penalties that exists but some people aren’t aware of. Well, at least Gill probably won’t make that mistake again (should it happen). I guess, the more you know.

Bears’ holder Trenton Gill got an unsportsmanlike penalty for bringing a towel on the field and NFL fans were so confused

You’re not allowed to keep the ball dry???

The Bears’ offense and Justin Fields were already having a rough go of it during the first half against the 49ers (-6.5) on Sunday. With the San Francisco defense starting to tee off, Chicago’s attack managed to convert just two-of-eight third downs with 68 yards of total offense over six possessions.

But the Bears and Fields start to muster up some momentum on a quality possession toward the end of the half. While it didn’t end with a touchdown, it did give kicker Cairo Santos a manageable attempt to get Chicago on the scoreboard. That is before holder Trenton Gill broke an obscure rule right before the penalty. That’s right, he brought a towel onto the field when he shouldn’t have and effectively ended the Bears’ possession without points.

Uh, what?

If this is the first time you’re learning players, especially on special teams, aren’t allowed to use towels on the field, you’re not alone! Evidently, that even surprised Gill, whose job is to make the ball is taken care of for his kicker. I mean, it’s not as if there was a torrential downpour in Chicago the morning of the game or anything.

The NFL’s strange rulebook strikes again.

Bears hit with rare unsportsmanlike penalty for using towel to dry field

The Bears were hit with an unsportsmanlike penalty for a towel

Chicago Bears punter Trenton Gill is also the team’s holder on kicks.

He wound up costing his team 15 yards and a chance at a field goal Sunday in the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers due to an obscure rule.

Here goes: Soldier Field had been inundated by rain, leaving the field soaked.

So, what’s a holder to do when his team is about to attempt a field goal?

Bring a towel onto the field to dry the spot for his kicker, Cairo Santos.

The problem is the rulebook somehow addresses the possibility of such situations and it calls for a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

Players are prohibited from discarding on the playing field any loose towels or other materials used for wiping hands and the football.

Instead of Santos attempting a field goal, Gill had to drop into punt formation.

Bears vs. Seahawks: Everything we know about Chicago’s preseason win

The Bears won their second preseason game on Thursday, beating the Seahawks 27-11 on the road. We break down the game here:

The Chicago Bears faced the Seattle Seahawks in the team’s second preseason game. The Bears are now 2-0 in the preseason following their 27-11 victory over Seattle.

Despite Seattle playing quarterback Geno Smith into the third quarter, the Bears’ passing defense played lights out en route to Thursday’s victory.

Though it’s only preseason, fans have much to like about Matt Eberflus and how he coaches this team. It’s more of an old-school approach, tailoring the offense and defense to fit their players, instead of trying to force a scheme.

Here’s everything we know about the Bears’ preseason win against the Seahawks:

1 player from each Bears position group to watch vs. Seahawks

The Bears will face the Seahawks on Thursday. Here’s one player at each position group we’re watching for Chicago.

The Chicago Bears will face off against the Seattle Seahawks in their second preseason game on Thursday night.

Head coach Matt Eberflus said that starters will be limited to around 6-10 reps — or a couple of series — with such a short turnaround. Still, there are plenty of players to keep an eye on — from rookies looking to make an impact to veterans fighting for a roster spot.

Ahead of Chicago’s second preseason game, here’s a look at one player to watch from each Bears position group.