Chicago Bears could regret Ben Johnson’s newst controversial decision

The Chicago Bears appear headed in the right direction in Week 7, as the team is on a three-game winning streak after winning a thrilling “Monday Night Football” contest over the Washington Commanders. The Bears are now 3-2 on the season, and look to be in the hunt to make a wild card appearance if they keep momentum.

More News: Ben Johnson confirms Bears starting kicker

The hero of Monday night’s game was kicker Jake Moody. The 2023 third-round pick by the San Francisco 49ers was signed to the Bears practice squad in September. With team captain Cairo Santos suffering a quadriceps injury, Chicago elevated Moody to the active roster against the Commanders.

Moody made four of his five field goal attempts, including the game-winning kick as time expired to cement a 25-24 victory over Washington. Moody’s success gave the Bears a minor controversy this week: Should Chicago sign Moody to the 53-man roster and cut Santos, or keep Moody on the practice squad where another kicker-needy team can sign him to their 53-man roster?

Ben Johnson chose Cairo Santos over Jake Moody

More News: Bears K Jake Moody makes strong statement after game-winner

On Wednesday, head coach Ben Johnson announced that the Bears are keeping Santos as the starter, putting Moody’s future with the team in jeopardy.

During his appearance on 670 The Score’s “Mully & Haugh Show” on Tuesday. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune explained why the Bears were likely to keep Santos despite Moody’s big game.

“When Cairo Santos is healthy, he’s the kicker,” Biggs said. “There’s nothing Cairo had done this season that would put him on notice when you consider his resume.”

.@BradBiggs: “When Cairo Santos is healthy, he’s the kicker. There’s nothing Cairo had done this season that would put him on notice when you consider his resume.”

So what will happen with Jake Moody? Will another NFL team sign him off the Bears’ practice squad? pic.twitter.com/OpQYBVw164

— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) October 14, 2025

The Chicago Bears need a long-distance kicker

Santos is a reliable field goal kicker when called upon, going six-for-seven on field goal attempts this season. His season-long is 52 yards.

However, I have to disagree with Biggs’ assessment. Santos’ resume does have some trouble. He’s always struggled with distance, and his inability to kick the ball out of the endzone in Week 1 killed the offense’s shot having putting together a drive to beat the Minnesota Vikings.

In a league where kickers are making 60+ yards every week, Santos is quickly becoming a dinosaur at the position. With the league’s new kickoff rules, the Bears need a long-term kicker who can boot the ball deep.

Santos will never be that.

Moody might never be a consistent kicker. But Chicago needs an upgrade at the position over Santos. Johnson’s decision to keep Santos on the 53-man roster could come back to haunt the Bears.

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