When the Chicago Bears released one of their all-time great kickers in Robbie Gould last September, it set the position into serious flux after a decade of stability. Many weren’t pleased with how the Bears dealt with Gould, who in some minds is a legend in Chicago, and were even less pleased at the prospects of his quick free agent replacement in Connor Barth.
Barth, coming over from the Saints and Buccaneers, of course had his moments, not all of which were satisfactory. The veteran 31-year-old made 18 of 23 field goals and 31 of 32 extra points but he never seemed like the kind of kicker you keep around long-term.