13. Chicago Bears (8)
It’s probably safe to say the Chicago Bears have gotten into their own heads a little bit. A surprise team in 2018, the Bears won the NFC North but then lost to the Philadelphia Eagles when kicker Cody Parkey’s kick was unsuccessful. This came after a season full of struggles from the high-priced Parkey and has since led to his release.
It’s also led to a weird competition with three players currently on the roster still trying to make the team. Making matters more strange, Chris Blewitt, Elliott Fry, and Eddy Pineiro all have to work with a team that’s trying out “Augusta Silence.” Yes, just like the silence that happens during the Master’s Tournament, the Bears are trying this tactic in an attempt to make things awkward on their kickers — and they love the idea.
"‘‘We’re getting the ‘Augusta Silence’ out here with the team, and that’s eerie,’’ coach Matt Nagy said via Patrick Finley of The Chicago Sun Times. ‘‘Probably not real. It doesn’t really get quiet all the time when you’re kicking” ‘‘But to crave pressure and create pressure is for our whole team, not just the kickers.”"
This isn’t to say the Bears season is doomed already, but the lengths they’re going to in order to try and solve the kicking problem is somewhat concerning. But who knows, if it works, Nagy will look like a genius.