The Chicago Bears are reportedly considering a change at the kicker position, with Jason Sanders emerging as a potential replacement for Cairo Santos. While Santos has maintained an 83 percent field goal success rate, down from 84 percent in 2024 and 92 percent in 2023, the team appears open to exploring other options as Santos enters the final two years of his contract. This decline, paired with Santos’s upcoming contract status, has led the Bears to evaluate candidates who might offer greater consistency and range.
Initially, Jake Moody was viewed as a leading candidate to fill the role, given his accuracy and playoff experience. However, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler confirmed that Moody chose to re-sign with the Washington Commanders, prompting the Bears to widen their search. This has brought Jason Sanders into focus as a viable option, especially after reports indicated that the Miami Dolphins plan to release him following unsuccessful contract negotiations.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter,
“After the two sides could not agree on a contract, the Dolphins now are expected to release kicker Jason Sanders, per source. Sanders leaves Miami with a streak of 27 straight made field goals, and 9-of-9 on his last 50+-yard field goals.”
These impressive statistics highlight why Sanders could be an attractive acquisition, particularly for a Bears team intent on strengthening its position in the NFC playoffs.
Jason Sanders Offers a Strong Upgrade for Chicago’s Kicking Game
Sanders’s performance from long range makes him a particularly appealing target for the Bears, as they look to improve reliability beyond 50 yards where Santos has converted only four out of six attempts. Unlike Santos, Sanders completed all his kicks from that distance this season, providing Chicago with confidence in critical scoring situations. Bringing in Sanders would not only upgrade the kicker spot but also potentially secure a long-term solution at a key role on the roster.
Financially, moving on from Santos could be feasible for the Bears. Cutting Santos after June 1 would save Chicago $3.2 million in salary cap space, with only a $560,000 dead cap hit. This financial flexibility, combined with the opportunity to sign a clutch playmaker like Sanders, makes the potential transition more viable as the franchise plans its roster ahead of the 2026 season.
The importance of a dependable kicker was underscored during a recent playoff scenario involving the Green Bay Packers, where missed field goals significantly contributed to their loss against the Bears. Although Santos is not currently underperforming to that extent, the Bears’ front office may view securing a more consistent kicker like Sanders as a critical step to avoid similar outcomes in future high-stakes games.
The Bears have a chance to lock in a proven kicker with postseason experience and outstanding accuracy, potentially eliminating doubts at the position for years to come. As Chicago proceeds through its offseason planning, acquiring Sanders would represent a significant move aimed at shoring up special teams and bolstering the franchise’s competitive outlook in the NFC.
The Commanders are re-signing kicker Jake Moody to a one-year deal, per source. pic.twitter.com/WROBc8LvwU
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 6, 2026
After the two sides could not agree on a contract, the Dolphins now are expected to release kicker Jason Sanders, per source. Sanders leaves Miami with a streak of 27 straight made field goals, and 9-of-9 on his last 50+-yard field goals. pic.twitter.com/dowhkjfi48
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 6, 2026
