The Bears have claimed kicker Roberto Aguayo off waivers from the Buccaneers, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
While claiming a kicker would typically carry little financial risk, that’s not the case for Chicago given that Aguayo was a second-round pick in 2016. Roughly two-thirds of Aguayo’s 2017 base salary is guaranteed, meaning the Bears will now be on the hook for $428K if they cut the former Florida State Seminole.
Connor Barth is the incumbent kicker standing in Aguayo’s way, and his contact contains guaranteed money as well ($155K worth), meaning the Bears will be absorbing dead money no matter which kicker they ultimately choose. Barth converted only 78% of his field goals in 2016 (including 1-of-3 from 50+ yards), but did make all but one of his extra points.
Aguayo, of course, posted even worse numbers during his rookie campaign in 2016, leading to his release on Saturday. Aguayo made only 22-of-31 field goal attempts last year (71%) and missed two extra points. That performance, combined with his struggles in camp and the preseason, was enough for Tampa Bay to thrown in the towel, despite having traded up in the draft to select him a year ago.
Another head scratching move by one of the 5 most incompetent teams in all of football. Just plain dumb but typical
I thought that might happen, I personally think it’s a good signing. It’s. It like Connor Barth is anything special.
*its not like
Derp
It’s lit
My guess is he needed a change if scenery He was clearly the best guy in college football for 3 years running. Common sense says he easily beats out the journeyman Barth We are building for the future, why would we keep a 31 year old who has been bouncing around since 2008 ? .
This kid was automatic in college. He missed a few kicks early and it screwed with his head. If he sucks this year no big deal. The bears will too.
Automatic? More like automagic. He was so clutch
The Bears sure do like picking up kickers off the Buc’s scrap heap. Hopefully this one pays off.
Teams very seldom give up on 2nd round picks this quick. Read his stats he had very few touch backs and no one FG beyond 45 yards. Nobody was going to claim him. They should have waited and could have got him for a lot less guaranteed money
The bears have so much cap room and the owners are not hurting for money, 428k is worth a gamble…the bears might be the worst run franchise not just in the NFL but in all of sports…this though will not be any problem even if he’s horrible, the bears need the first pick next year, maybe this gets them closer to that
Marlins, browns, and Knicks say hi!
Maybe I don’t understand waiver claims, but the Bears are fairly high on the waiver list and someone else might have claimed him. Also how does waiting make him cheaper?
He’s implying that if they wouldn’t have claimed him, he might have gone unclaimed by everyone else too, in which case they could have signed him and paid less than the terms of his rookie contract
Like I said above. Why not take a chance (cheaply) on a guy with his pedigree. Bears will be lucky to win 4 games. A 31 year old journeyman whose been on an off rosters for almost a decade (Barth) certainly won’t change that.
They won’t win 4 games with this bum.
And once again Strauss took time to put the bottle down and grace us with his presence with a moronic comment! Thanks old man! Go troll somewhere else!
Da Bears!
Kicking in Soldier Field isn’t easy. If he struggled in Tampa, he’ll struggle in Chicago.
I mean really what do the Bears have to lose Barth isn’t good and at least this guy gives them a future that might turn out positive.
Damn straight he needed a change of scenery……I believe they call it a soccer field. Greatest college K ever…..great NFL prospect not counting the 4 inches above his eyes, gonna take a lot too lose TB nickname….”wide left !”
Can’t believe I’m saying this but this is a great move by the Bears. High upside and no downside since if he sucks well good the Bears shouldn’t be trying too hard to win and mess up getting a top draft pick. The talent is there for this kid hopefully he can regain some of what made him a phenomenal college kicker.