(670 The Score) The Bears’ kicking battery finished out the season in style.
In Chicago's season finale on Jan. 5 at Lambeau Field, long snapper Scott Daly delivered a precise snap, which was held by punter Tory Taylor to set up kicker Cairo Santos' game-winning 51-yard field goal to lift the Bears to a 24-22 win against the rival Packers on the final play of the game.
But how will the Bears’ special teams take shape in 2025? There are a few decisions that loom for the team this offseason.
Editor's note: This is the latest installment of our Bears offseason outlook series. You can read the previous breakdowns by clicking the links below.
Quarterback
Running back
Wide receiver
Tight end
Offensive line
Defensive line
Linebacker
Secondary
Who’s back: Kicker Cairo Santos (33), punter Tory Taylor (27)
Free agents: Long snapper Scott Daly (31), long snapper Patrick Scales (37)
The Bears made some changes for their special teams leading into the 2024 season.
Chicago selected Taylor in the fourth round of the NFL Draft last spring in a rare instance of a specialist being selected high in the draft. The Bears believed he'd be a weapon for their third phase. Taylor produced mixed results in averaging 47.7 yards per punt (15th in NFL) and 41.2 net yards per attempt (19th in NFL).
Then prior to the regular season, the Bears brought in Daly to step in for Scales, who underwent back surgery. The team’s longest-tenured player, Scales missed the entire season.
Santos connected on 21 of his 25 field-goal attempts, an 84% average that represented a drop in production after he had made 91.1% of his field-goal attempts in his prior four seasons with Chicago. Santos’ lowest moment of the season came on Nov. 17, when his game-winning 46-yard field-goal attempt was blocked by the Packers, preserving a 20-19 win for Green Bay.
The block underscored Santos’ challenge on long-range field-goal attempts. He doesn't have a big leg, so that kick required a lower trajectory. Then-head coach Matt Eberflus also came under fire for his decision to not push for more yardage as time was on the Bears' side late. Eberflus was fired 12 days later.
As for Santos, he earned a moment of redemption in the rematch with the Packers.
“I don’t think I could write a cooler script for myself,” Santos said after that game.
What’s next?
It’s unclear whether Scales intends to play again. He has enjoyed 11 years in the NFL, including a 10-year tenure in Chicago.
Daly performed well as the Bears’ long snapper in 2024 and would be the man to move forward with at the position if Scales doesn't return.
Beyond that, the Bears also have a potential decision to make at kicker. Given Santos’ lack of leg power, it may be wise for the Bears to add legitimate competition in the offseason program and training camp, perhaps even with a late draft pick.
The Bears' special teams will have their same coordinator back in 2025. Richard Hightower was retained by new head coach Ben Johnson and is set to work his fourth straight season in that role in Chicago.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.