The Chicago Bears kicker situation is by no means set. Training camp will begin with two guys vying for the starting job. One is former AAF standout Elliott Fry and the other is former Raiders undrafted free agent Eddy Pineiro. Both have different qualities that make them viable NFL hopefuls but neither has separated himself in the competition to this point. That can change in the coming weeks.
GM Ryan Pace made it crystal clear the team is monitoring the NFL landscape for possible moves if the need arises. That includes a potential trade if the right talent becomes available. If that were to happen, the current outlook around the league seems to point towards one player that might be worth the risk. His name is Kaare Vedvik, currently employed by the Baltimore Ravens.
Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune pointed out that the Bears could have an eye on the extremely talented youth. Not only does he have the big leg and accuracy any team looks for, but he’s almost guaranteed to be available thanks to the presence of All-Pro Justin Tucker on the roster. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh even said their endgame is to trade him.
“He was with us all season, he’s training now,” Harbaugh said, via the team’s website. “He’ll be one of our camp kickers. Actually, I fully expect that he’ll kick well enough for us to trade him. That’s kind of, I would say, the goal. Now, if something changes, it’s always competitive. You never know. Watch out Tuck. But I think we’re really set with our specialists. Obviously, we’re not looking to make a change there in all seriousness. But he’s capable of kicking in the NFL. We probably could have traded him last year.”
Kaare Vedvik certainly sounds like a Chicago Bears kicker
The crazy thing about this situation is how similar it could end up being to one Bears fans might not remember. Back in 2005, the Ravens were in a similar position. They had an All-Pro in Matt Stover already in place but ended up signing a young kid out of Penn State named Robbie Gould. The coaches loved him but obviously he couldn’t be kept. So he was released. The Bears soon called for advice on him and were told he had the goods.
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Vedvik is an impressive specimen. Not only did he connect on 6-of-7 field goals in the preseason last year (including one from 56 yards), he also averaged 46.8 yards on 19 punts. The guy has a gifted leg. One that wouldn’t struggle too much to have success in the adventurous weather conditions of Chicago. It comes down to how high the price will be to acquire him. Since 1994, the highest pick ever given up for a kicker was a 5th rounder. That was when the Kansas City Chiefs acquired Pete Stoyanovich from Miami.
Stoyanovich though had already been an All-Pro by that point in his career. So it’s unlikely Vedvik, with no regular season experience, will command that high of a price.
