Chicago Bears sign long snapper Patrick Scales, waive Thomas Gafford

The Chicago Bears have decided to make a change to a key special teams position for their playoff stretch run. Gone is long snapper Thomas Gafford, waived after playing in all 11 games for the Bears this season. They signed long snapper Patrick Scales to take his place on the roster.

Scales (6'4", 244) was originally a UDFA of the Ravens in 2011 out of Utah State.. He was back and forth with them for two years, never appearing in a game, then he bounced around three other teams before finding his way back to Baltimore last season.

Last year Scales finally made his NFL in game debut as he long snapped in 2 regular season games, plus their 2 playoff games. Scales had a try out with the Bears back in October.

Gafford wasn't necessarily bad this year, but he also wasn't apparently as pin point accurate as the Bears wanted him to be.

In a fortunate scheduling happenstance, Bears special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers will meet the media this week at Halas Hall.