Reports: Kicker Cairo Santos signs contract extension with Bears

After a record-setting 2020 season, Bears kicker Cairo Santos has earned himself a big payday.

The 29-year-old kicker is signing a five-year, $16 million contract, a move first reported by Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. The deal is worth up to $17.5 million. The final two years of the contract are voidable, which would make it a three-year deal worth $9 million and up to $11 million.

The Bears have locked up their kicker of the future. They’ve come a long way since the Cody Parkey debacle.

Santos ended the season making 27 consecutive field goals – 28 if counting the playoffs – a Bears team record. His streak remains active heading into the 2021 season. He made 30 of 32 field goal attempts during the regular season. Santos’ 93.8% accuracy rate on field goals in 2020 was also a team record, beating Robbie Gould’s previous mark of 89.7% in 2013.

Santos emerged as the Bears’ top kicker this season following an injury to Eddy Pineiro during training camp. Santos was set to become a free agent next week.