Chicago Bears sign Connor Barth

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune is reporting that the Chicago Bears are re-signing kicker Connor Barth to a one year contract. According to Biggs, the 30 year old Barth will get $155,000 guaranteed on a $980,000 deal.

Last year Barth replaced Robbie Gould as the Bears’ place kicker and he made 18 out of 23 field goals (78.3%) and only missed one of 32 extra points. He scored 85 points and his long FG was a 54 yarder.

He averaged 62 yards per kickoff, which was 27th in the NFL among kickers with at least 16 kickoffs, and his touchback percentage of 40.6 placed him 32nd.

Opposing teams averaged 21.9 yards per return against Barth and Chicago’s coverage team, which was 17th.

Barth’s specialty is his accuracy on shorter kicks, as evidenced by his 94 for 100 on field goals from 39 yards and closer.

Do you guys think the Bears will roll simply with Barth as their kicker in 2017, or will some competition be brought in?