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Diving into Zane Gonzalez replacements

By Aarron Van Buren

Nov 16, 2020; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears kicker Cairo Santos (2) kicks a field goal in the first half against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2020; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears kicker Cairo Santos (2) kicks a field goal in the first half against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 16, 2020; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears kicker Cairo Santos (2) kicks a field goal in the first half against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2020; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears kicker Cairo Santos (2) kicks a field goal in the first half against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports /

Cairo Santos

Cairo Santos is first on my list of Zane Gonzalez replacements. Santos took over for Eddy Pinerio for the 2020 season and had his 2nd-best year in terms of FG%, hitting an incredible 93.8% of his field goals. Santos went 30/32, only missing two field goals all year. Some may see a Chicago Bears kicker and not want anything to do with one after Cody Parkey’s doink-filled 2018 season.

However, the Cardinals were the 9th-worst team in the league in kickoff return yards allowed last season, letting up almost 900 yards for an average of almost 20 per return. Santos had a touchback rate of roughly 48%, whereas Gonzalez had around 55%. Remembering that the Bears are playing literally on Lake Michigan outdoors is the reason for a lower number. But Santos’ accuracy is far superior to Gonzalez’, and that TB% would surely increase in the giant toaster here in the desert. Plus Santos is only 30 years old, so he has plenty of time left in his career to make an impact for the red birds.

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