The Chicago Bears kicking competition got off to a laughable start this summer and was described as a “fascinating spectacle” by quarterback Mitch Trubisky. Finally, Chicago’s two kickers came through for their teammates on Thursday.
Head coach Matt Nagy ended organized team activities by having kickers Eddy Pineiro and Elliott Fry each attempt a 40-yard field goal attempt with a lot on the line. If both kickers missed, the entire team would have to run sprints to end the practice session.
While the stakes weren’t as high as a playoff game, having the entire team watch you with their fate in your hands can put a lot of pressure on a kicker. Fortunately for everyone in Chicago, both kickers delivered in the clutch.
Fry and Pineiro became the heroes their teammates needed at the end of practice by saving them from grueling conditioning workouts. Drilling the kicks should also be a nice boost of confidence for the competing kickers after some bad misses earlier.
Now Nagy and the Bears can only hope the clutch kicking and high confidence can carry over into training camp and then into the season. Otherwise, running gassers will be the least of Chicago’s problems.