Predicting the 2022 Chicago Bears 53-man roster after preseason

Special Teams (3): K- Cairo Santos, P- Trenton Gill (R), LS- Patrick Scales

Given what just happened with the Buffalo Bills and punter Matt Araiza, who is now out of the league, Bears fans can breathe a sigh of relief knowing they have Trenton Gill as their punter, who has no off-the-field issues and a booming leg that can make an impact on the game. Additionally, they have a reliable kicker in Cairo Santos.

But the biggest nod is for Patrick Scales. Long snappers don’t often get the credit they are supposed to get, and so we have to give Scales credit here. Like Patrick Mannelly, an icon during his tenure, Scales shows consistency and poise. That doesn’t sound like much for a long snapper, but snappers are looked at as heavily as kickers when kicks go wrong.

The Bears have a reliable unit in their special teams. Still, one year and one wrong kick can change everything. It’s on these three players to make it difficult for the opposition. Santos with scoring kicks at any distance within comfort, Gill with touchbacks and pinning opponents deep, and Scales making sure snaps are on point for accurate results.