Bears Kicker Cairo Santos Named Special Teams Player of the Year

Santos' consistent performance and clutch kicks helped the Bears to their best season in a decade.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 2:47pm

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Kicker Cairo Santos has been named the Chicago Bears' Special Teams Player of the Year for his overall performance this season, including an 83.3% field goal conversion rate and 100% on extra points. Santos displayed poise and leadership in critical moments, hitting game-winning kicks and making all three field goal attempts in blustery conditions to help the Bears defeat the Packers in overtime.

Why it matters

Santos' consistent and clutch kicking was a key factor in the Bears' success this season, helping the team to their best record in a decade. His leadership and adaptability on special teams, including utilizing "dirty kicks" to gain field position, also made him an invaluable asset.

The details

Santos converted 83.3% of his field goal attempts and 100% of extra points this season. He hit a game-winning 48-yard field goal against the Vikings, made all three field goal attempts in tough conditions against the Packers, and became the first Bears kicker to make a 50+ yard field goal in a playoff game. Santos also displayed his adaptability, using "dirty kicks" on kickoffs to help the Bears' defense start drives in advantageous field position.

  • On November 16, Santos hit a game-winning 48-yard field goal as time expired against the Minnesota Vikings.
  • On December 20, Santos made all three of his field goal attempts in blustery conditions at Soldier Field to help the Bears defeat the Green Bay Packers in overtime.
  • In the Bears' wild card playoff win over the Packers, Santos drilled a 51-yard field goal, the first time a Bears kicker had made a 50+ yard field goal in a postseason game.

The players

Cairo Santos

The Chicago Bears' kicker, who is in his 11th NFL season and 6th consecutive with the Bears. Santos has proven to be a consistent and clutch performer, helping the Bears to their best season in a decade.

Richard Hightower

The Bears' special teams coordinator, who praised Santos' resilience and composure as an example of what the team wants from its special teams unit.

Ben Johnson

The Bears' head coach, who awarded Santos a game ball after several of his clutch performances, including the overtime win against the Packers where Santos made three field goals in tough conditions.

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What they’re saying

“Cairo came up big for us. Those conditions, Soldier Field this time of year, are not advantageous for many kickers. And yet Cairo has proven that he's a guy that we cannot only trust, but he'll come through for us when we need him the most.”

— Ben Johnson, Head Coach (Chicago Bears)

“When you get voted captain by your peers, I think that says a lot. We had a number of really good special teams players, and yet he was the one that got the most votes to be special teams captain. And when you see how they react in the locker room to him receiving a game ball or making one of those game-winning kicks, I think it's pretty special. When he talks, they listen. He's been around this league for a long time, and I think he's been a really good influence for our special teams unit in general.”

— Ben Johnson, Head Coach (Chicago Bears)

What’s next

The Bears will look to build on their successful season and Santos' strong performance as they prepare for the 2026 NFL season.

The takeaway

Cairo Santos' consistent and clutch kicking, as well as his leadership on special teams, were key factors in the Bears' best season in a decade. His ability to perform in tough conditions and make game-winning kicks demonstrated his value as a reliable veteran presence on the team.