The Chicago Bears appear set to welcome Cairo Santos back as their kicker for the upcoming season following a stable 2025 campaign. Nonetheless, with free agency approaching, head coach Ben Johnson and his coaching staff may want to reevaluate their kicker situation. This reconsideration comes after NFL insiders revealed new developments involving potential alternatives on the market, possibly altering the Bears’ plans.
Sources including NFL insider Jordan Schultz indicate that the Washington Commanders do not intend to extend a restricted free agent tender to Jake Moody. Meanwhile, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero has reported that veteran kicker Nick Folk, aiming for his 19th NFL season, is expected to be a prominent free agent option. The availability of these two could prompt the Bears to revisit their kicking unit’s composition.
Performance and Challenges in Santos’ Recent Season
Cairo Santos delivered a respectable 2025 season for Chicago, successfully converting 25 of 30 field goal attempts and making all 39 extra points. He also made several critical kicks under pressure, including game-winning field goals in Week 4 against the Las Vegas Raiders and Week 11 versus the Minnesota Vikings. These key moments highlighted his clutch ability, a valued trait in any kicker.
Despite these positives, Santos’ overall field goal accuracy dropped to 83.3%, marking his lowest rate since joining the Bears and matching his earlier struggles with the Tennessee Titans in 2019 when he hit only 44.4% of attempts. Additionally, a lingering thigh injury impacted his kicking power throughout the season, raising concerns about his long-term effectiveness as he enters the age-35 bracket.
Emerging Alternatives: Jake Moody and Nick Folk
Jake Moody, a younger option, proved effective during limited action last season after being promoted from the Chicago practice squad. Moody made 8 of 9 field goals, including a 38-yard game-winner against the Commanders in Week 6. However, after being waived midseason by the Bears, he joined Washington and finished strong by converting 18 of 20 field goals and 15 of 16 extra points with the Commanders.
With such performances, Moody might attract multiple teams seeking a reliable kicker. Nonetheless, Nick Folk’s potential entry into free agency adds another layer of complexity. Over the past three seasons, Folk has been the NFL’s most accurate kicker, hitting 96.3% of his field goals with just three misses and demonstrating exceptional range, including 18 made field goals of over 20 yards. His consistency also extends to extra points, achieving 75 successful kicks out of 77 attempts during this span.
Risks and Considerations for the Bears Moving Forward
Although Moody and Folk offer promising skill sets, both carry certain risks. Moody’s performance has been uneven; after a strong rookie year in 2023 with the San Francisco 49ers, he struggled in 2025, converting only 67.5% of his field goals and facing a release following missed attempts early in the season. Folk, while highly consistent, is 41 years old, which may prompt concerns about longevity despite his current form.
Given these dynamics, the Bears must weigh whether to retain the dependable, though declining, Cairo Santos or gamble on one of these available kickers who could bring a renewed advantage. The presence of two strong candidates familiar with Chicago’s system enhances the possibility of an unexpected shift in the kicking position as free agency begins.
With the kicking game playing a crucial role in deciding tight matchups, any changes to this position could have significant implications for the Bears’ season. The final decision may reveal how aggressively Chicago intends to pursue even subtle improvements during the offseason to bolster their roster.
Sources: The #Commanders are not planning to tender K Jake Moody as an RFA. He will become a free agent.
The 26-year-old was 18/20 on FGs last year during his time in Chicago and Washington, including 2/2 from 50+, with a long of 56. pic.twitter.com/7ixltwFDWM
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 3, 2026
Veteran kicker Nick Folk plans to play a 19th NFL season, per source, and is expected to be one of the top options on the market at age 41.
Since 2023, Folk is the NFL's most accurate kicker (96.3%), missing just one FG each season, going 18-of-20 from 50+ and 75-of-77 on XPs. pic.twitter.com/4tJJAhI8nX
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 3, 2026
