As the Chicago Bears’ kicker competition hit the preseason, Elliott Fry and Eddy Pineiro got their first chance in live game action.
But it was another kicker that stole the show.
Carolina Panthers rookie kicker Joey Slye helped lead his team to the 23-13 victory with three field goals of 29, 42 and 55 yards.
The Panthers already have their starting kicker in Graham Gano, but Slye certainly put himself on the Bears’ radar — and other teams’ — with his performance at Soldier Field.
“He handled it really well,” Panthers coach Ron Rivera said, via The Kansas City Star. “We had an opportunity for him to kick a 55-yarder. During practice, he hit a 60-something yarder. So I thought this was well within his range and it was kind of fun to watch him kick it.”
Fry and Pineiro rotated throughout the game, each getting two opportunities to kick. Fry connected on an extra point following David Montgomery’s 7-yard touchdown run, as well as a 43-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.
Pineiro went 1-for-2, missing a 48-yard field in the second quarter and later connecting on a 23-yarder in the fourth quarter.
The kicker competition remains deadlocked between Fry and Pineiro at this point. And after watching Slye’s performance, the Bears should know they have options if Fry or Pineiro aren’t their guy.
