The Chicago Bears announced yesterday that they have found their new kicker: former Miami Dolphin Cody Parkey. Parkey officially signed on the dotted line yesterday, mid-season pick up Mike Nugent.
The Bears suffered through one of the worst kicking seasons in recent memory after moving on from longtime fan favorite Robbie Gould. Connor Barth hit at an 11 for 16 clip before being run out of the city after a missed game tying field goal in a Week 11 matchup with the Lions. Nugent steadied the kicking scheme a little bit, going 4 for 4, but at 36 years of age, he no longer can be relied on as a franchise kicker.
Parkey had a very strong one year stint with the Dolphins, going 21 for 23 in field goals. After signing as an undrafted free agent with the Colts in 2014, Indianapolis traded him to the Eagles. The former Eagles Pro Bowler fell off after ending up on the IR in 2015.
Philadelphia waived him and Parkey found a home in Cleveland, going a respectable 20 for 25. The Browns then waived him and he signed in Miami.
While Cairo Santos can always be brought back, considering his injury history, the 26-years-old Parkey could be the longtime fix to the kicking in Chicago.
Parkey’s contract is for four years, totaling $15 million. $9 million of that contract will be guaranteed, almost all in the first two seasons. There is a potential out in Parkey’s contract after the 2019 season, one which will cost the Bears just over $1,000,000 if exercised.
(Photo Credit: Allen Eyestone/The Post)
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