Rookie Bear GM Ryan Pace decided against resigning placekicker Robbie Gould who at the time was da Bears all-time leading scorer and had a FG kicking success rate that exceeded the “legendary” Kevin Butler by over 10 percentage points. (Butler kicked for da Bears around their Super Bowl season and finished his career as the franchise’s all-time leading scorer.) Pace got criticized in print and word. While playing for Chicago, Gould converted 85% of his field goals over the course of 166 games, which is exemplary, given Chicago’s windy and cold weather conditions.
After Gould’s departure, Pace went cheap when he signed Connor Barth, but he kicked in Chicago for two seasons at a much lower rate (74%) and got the boot. Enter Cody Parkey.
Parkey kicked for three NFL teams in a four year span during which time he converted 84% of his FGs in 65 games. GM Pace rewarded Parkey with 15 million dollars over four years, PLUS a $2.25 million contract and $9 million GUARANTEED. Then Parkey improbably and inexplicably hits an upright and crossbar seven times this season. The last foible cost da Bears another week of football in 2019.
I think Pace needs to grip his teeth and rip off that band aid. Problem is, Gould still enjoys tremendous success as a kicker in San Fran. Does Pace go with a reliable rookie kicker such as Golden Gopher Matt Carpenter, sign a veteran who will, per union rules, command a certain sum, or search for a discard?
