The Chicago Bears are figuring out the status of kicker Cody Parkey, and for the time being, they’ve brought in some competition. The team signed Redford Jones after trying out a kickers on Friday, per Rich Campbell.
The news comes after a rough 2018 season from Parkey. Last March, the Bears signed Parkey to a four-year $15 million contract. In his first year on the deal, he connected on 76.7 percent of his field goal attempts and missed the critical field goal attempt that would have beaten the Philadelphia Eagles in the wild card round.
Jones has no NFL experience, having gone undrafted last year and not signing anywhere until now. He was 12 of 16 on field goal attempts at Tulsa in 2017, and 50 of 67 for his career.
The Bears are one of several teams that would likely be interested in talking to Robbie Gould. The long-time Bears kicker has had a strong two seasons with the 49ers, converting 95 percent of his field goals in 2017 and 97 percent in 2018. He’s an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and while the 49ers are talking to him and could still franchise him, he would likely have a strong market if he hit free agency.
If the Bears cut Parkey, they would carry $5,187,500 in dead money, and lose $1,125,000 in cap space. If they designated him a post-June 1st cut, they would carry $4,062,500 in dead money this year, and save $0 in cap space. The Jones signing is for competition, but if Gould hits the market, I have to think they could be an aggressive suitor.