The Bears followed through on their promise to address their kicking woes, signing a new face Friday after bringing in multiple kickers for a workout at Halas Hall.
The team signed kicker Redford Jones, according to his agency, EnterSports Management. At Tulsa, Jones made 50 of 67 field goals and 169 of 172 extra points from 2015-17.
Earlier Friday, the Bears worked out Jones, and sources confirmed, veteran Nick Folk, who played for the Cowboys and Jets from 2007-16 before kicking in four games for the Buccaneers in 2017. ESPN reported the Bears had six kickers try out, including veteran Blair Walsh.
Cody Parkey remains on the Bears’ roster — for now.
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Parkey missed 11 kicks in his first season with the Bears, including a 43-yard double-doink that would have beaten the Eagles in the first round of the playoffs. His appearance on the “Today” show five days later rankled coach Matt Nagy, who said it wasn’t a team-first move.
It’s unlikely Parkey will return next season.
Earlier this month, general manager Ryan Pace vowed to upgrade the kicker position, saying financial implications would not dissuade them from their goal. The Bears would take on a $5.2 million cap hit if they released Parkey without a June 1 designation.
The Bears likely aren’t done looking at kickers. Former Bears kicker Robbie Gould will become a free agent in March, though the 49ers said they hope to re-sign him.
