One controversy that dogged former Bears kicker Cody Parkey was that he didn’t practice at Soldier Field during the week. His potential replacement, Eddy Pineiro, doesn’t want the same storyline to haunt him.
Pineiro, who made all three field goals but missed at extra point in a 19-15 preseason loss to the Titans, said he will kick in the stadium during the week if he makes the team.
“That’s a big thing,” he said. “If I’m here Week 1, I would love to come down to the stadium and get some kicks and just start getting used to it. It’s different from every other stadium I’ve played in.”
He added that it hinges on whether “we’re allowed to.” Pineiro said he intended to practice at Soldier Field leading up to the Titans game, but couldn’t. He didn’t explain why.
The Bears do not own Soldier Field, which has the potential to cause availability conflicts. Traffic is another significant issue, given that it can take up to an hour and a half each way to drive from Lake Forest to the stadium.
“I would love to get as many kicks as I possibly can in that stadium and try to learn the stadium and the wind and stuff like that,” Pineiro said.
Pineiro is the only kicker on the roster as the Bears approach the deadline to cut to 53 players Saturday at 3 p.m. However, coach Matt Nagy was noncommittal on his chance of making the team. The Bears will continue to evaluate free agents and roughly 10 kickers who will hit the waiver wire this weekend.
