30 Most Important Bears of 2025: Cairo Santos (No. 28)

The Chicago Bears are gearing up for an exciting 2025 NFL season, which features some new faces within the organization poised to get the franchise back to its winning ways. That starts with the hiring of Ben Johnson as head coach, as well as overhauling the interior offensive line, adding pieces on defense and a potenital impactful rookie draft class.

Every day from now right up through training camp, we’re counting down our 30 Most Important Bears for the 2025 season. We’ll recap their 2024 season, look ahead to 2025 and tackle the biggest question facing them this year.

At No. 28 is kicker Cairo Santos, the reliable kicker who should be counted on during big moments yet again for the 2025 season.

Background

Position: Kicker

Age: 33

Experience: 12th season

2025 cap hit: $4.26 million

2024 recap

Santos entered the 2024 season with no questions regarding his status as the primary kicker after signing a four-year extension at the end of the 2023 campaign. The Brazilian kicker has been as consistent as they come for the Bears, and even with two new battery mates at long snapper (Scott Daly) and holder (Tory Taylor), there was no reason to be concerned about a slump. Santos didn’t have his best season, though.

For the first time since rejoining the Bears in 2020, Santos finished the season with a field goal percentage below 85%, with a pair of misses standing out. In Week 11, Santos had a game-winning field goal lined up to vanquish the Packers‘ long winning streak against the Bears. The kick was blocked, however, and time expired. A week later, Santos missed another field goal, seemingly going through a slump in the middle of the year. Santos exorcised his demons in Week 18 against the Packers with a game-winning 51-yard field goal to give the Bears their first win over Green Bay since 2018.

2025 outlook

Entering his sixth consecutive season with the Bears, we have a pretty good idea of who Santos is as a kicker. He has excellent accuracy with a limited range. His longest field goal of 54 yards in 2024 was tied for 29th in 2024. That being said, Santos is the most accurate kicker in Bears history and has continuity on his side going into 2025.

Despite the Bears overhauling their coaching staff over the winter, the special teams unit remained relatively unchanged. Richard Hightower is returning as special teams coordinator, while Daly and Taylor are back at long snapper and holder, respectively. Kickers love consistency, and Santos will have it for the upcoming season.

Big question: Is Santos in danger of losing his job?

Kickers can never get too comfortable in one spot for long. While Santos has been solid during his second stint in Chicago, rumblings about his job security surface from time to time for a variety of reasons. Even though the 33-year-old signed an extension a year and a half ago, the Bears could easily cut bait during the preseason after his up-and-down season and save $3.2 million, per Over the Cap.

The other variable that could throw a wrench into things is Jonathan Kim, the former Michigan State kicker. Kim finished his career as the best kicker in Spartan history and knocked in a 58-yard field goal during his tenure. He’s an accomplished kicker and could give Santos a run for his money. While we have seen kicking competition come and go during Santos’ time with the Bears, you can never count out a new challenger. There’s a chance a training camp battle ensues, with Kim giving Santos a run for his money.