Entering the 2019 season, the biggest question the Bears had surrounded their kicker situation. Following Sunday’s season finale against the Vikings, it still remains a question albeit a less urgent one considering the plethora of issues plaguing the offense.
Considering the up-and-down nature of Pineiro’s rookie season, the Bears kicker went out on a high note following a perfect performance against the Vikings, where he connected on all four of his field goals, including the game-winner.
“It was amazing,” Pineiro said. “I’ve been getting good snaps, good holds all year. The guys blocking for me, all the credit to those guys and the offense getting us down there for an opportunity. It’s a good feeling. I felt like I ended on a good note.”
But that doesn’t exactly spell out the nature of Pineiro’s season, which had its highs and lows. It had its game-winning kicks — including a 53-yarder against the Broncos and Sunday’s 22-yarder against the Vikings. It had its game-losing kicks — including against the Chargers.
This season, Pineiro finished 23-of-28 in field goal attempts (82.1%). He had a valiant start and close to his season — starting 9-of-10 on the year before finishing 11-of-11. But it was his middle-of-the-season slum that was concerning, where he missed four of his seven kicks in games against the Chargers and Rams.
Simply put, Pineiro might’ve ended this dreadful season on a high note, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the kicker position is fixed for the Bears.
Ultimately, Pineiro finished his rookie season as a middle-of-the-pack kicker in the NFL. Which is fine enough. But considering how the Bears were one kick away from winning a playoff game last season — and even winning some games this season — how long will “just fine” suffice?
