Bears’ Cairo Santos named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week

After making a career-high 55-yard field goal in Sunday’s win against the Panthers, Bears kicker Cairo Santos was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week on Wednesday morning.

Santos, who made all three field goals and two extra points Sunday, is 10-for-12 on the season and has cemented himself as the Bears’ starting kicker. Eddy Pineiro remains on injured reserve with a groin injury, while Kai Forbath, whom the Bears brought into the practice squad as insurance in case of injury or illness, was signed by the Rams on Tuesday.

In addition to the career-long kick at the end of the first half, Santos made two 31-yard field goals, one in the second quarter and another in the fourth.

“From him being a kicker in Kansas City when I was there for those years ... I always had a lot of confidence in him,” Bears coach Matt Nagy said after the game. “Never once did I ever think about the [55-yard] kick being made or the kick being missed. I’ll be honest with you: I’m really in that mode right now with him.”

The last Bears player to win the special teams award was Pineiro after making a game-winning field goal in Denver during Week 2 last year. Santos had never before won the honor, but was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Month in November 2016.