Looking back, it is amazing how little people talk about what Cairo Santos did in 2020. Seriously. Think about it. The year before in Tennessee, he makes just four of his nine field goal attempts. The Chicago Bears signed him on August 25th, less than three weeks before the start of the regular season. He was viewed purely as insurance for starter Eddy Pineiro who had a hard time staying healthy.
Sure enough, when opening day came around, Pineiro wasn’t available. Santos got the nod to start. One week led to two, then three and before anybody realized it he was the unquestioned starter. By the time the dust settled at the end of December, the 29-year old had missed just three of 69 total kicks the entire season. An incredible run of accuracy that set a franchise single-season record previously held by Robbie Gould.
As if this was evidence enough of his incredible year? Next Gen Stats provided more.
Which NFL kickers were closest, on average, to the middle of the uprights on field goal attempts last season?
🥇 Justin Tucker, @Ravens
🥈 Cairo Santos, @ChicagoBears
🥉 Matt Gay, @RamsNFL #SpecialTeamsFriday pic.twitter.com/s26uH40Omk— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) June 4, 2021
In other words, Santos wasn’t just making his kicks in 2020. He was sending them right down the pipe. Almost an exclusive string of no-doubters. When people talk about a guy being “locked in,” this often what they mean. There was a point in the year where it felt like the veteran kicker just wasn’t going to miss. It isn’t like he was doing it thanks to a string of helpful short opportunities.
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Several of the kickers were from long distances and often in pressure situations. He missed just once over the final 12 games of the season. Just unbelievably on target. It is shocking that he didn’t get more consideration for the Pro Bowl. Especially since the only two NFC kickers with better field goal percentages than him were on losing teams. Younghoe Koo (Falcons) and Graham Gano (Giants).
Cairo Santos got what he wanted in the end
Think about this. Since 2017, Santos has been the NFL equivalent of a nomad. He was released by Kansas City, spent a brief time in Chicago, signed with the Rams, then Tampa Bay, landed in Tennessee, and finally back to Chicago. All in a space of just four seasons. The one thing he’s been seeking is stability. A place to truly call home. His 2020 run finally provided that.
The Bears handed him a three-year contract for $9 million. Over half of it guaranteed. That is a pretty nice payday for a guy who struggled to find work not so long ago. Cairo Santos seems genuinely happy in Chicago. He certainly doesn’t appear perturbed by the idea of kicking at Soldier Field. Something that is often a point of contention for certain players at that position.
If he truly has turned a corner?
Then the organization could have their kicking job locked down for years to come. Santos doesn’t turn 30-years old until November. Kickers can easily play well into their late 30s presuming they stay healthy and don’t lose their edge. Considering what Santos went through, he isn’t likely to get complacent. He understands how much he stands to lose.