Blewitt likely to sign with Bears

Former Pitt kicker Chris Blewitt is expected to sign with the Chicago Bears after setting himself apart during a multi-player tryout Wednesday, according to a report from the Chicago Tribune. Blewitt finished his college career after the 2016 season as Pitt's all-time leader in field goals (55), extra points (198) and kicker scoring (363 points), though he made just 69.6 per cent of his career field-goal attempts and 58.8 per cent as a senior.

He went to training camp with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2017 but did not make the cut, and he has yet to play a game in the NFL. The Bears are in the market for a kicker to replace Cody Parkey, whom general manager Ryan Pace said the team plans to release after the league year starts March 13. Parkey missed 10 kicks and hit the goal post multiple times last season, including an infamous "double-doink" miss on a kick that would have pushed the Bears past the Philadelphia Eagles in the playoffs.

Less than a week later, Parkey went on NBC's "Today Show" to discuss the kick, which angered team officials. Despite his inexperience, Blewitt beat out a group of kickers that included ex-Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Patrick Murray, the Tribune reported. The Bears also have ex-Tulsa kicker Redford Jones on the roster.

 

(With inputs from agencies.)