3 Kickers the Bears Should Target After Release of Elliott Fry

Throughout mini and training camp, as well as the preseason, Elliott Fry and Eddy Pineiro were trying to ease the minds of Chicago Bears fans after the team's shambolic exit in last year's Divisional Round against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Well, after Sunday's release of Fry, it's fair to say that Pineiro has his hands wrapped around the starting job for Week 1 of the regular season. That's not to say that the Bears won't bring in another kicker within the next week, however.

As we know, competition brings out the best in professional athletes. So, without further ado, here's three options Chicago can look to sign if Pineiro falters.

3. Kai Forbath

No, it's not an attractive name, but that's how bereft the current market is for kickers. Forbath is, however, a solid 36-for-43 on field goals over the last two seasons with the Jaguars and Vikings. The UCLA product's talent is apparent as he's a former Lou Groza Award winner (nation's best kicker). Over seven years in the NFL, Forbath has an 85.7 percent kicking percentage.

2. Matt Bryant

Is nobody else genuinely befuddled that Matt Bryant remains unsigned this soon before the regular season's inception? The 44-year-old vet simply possesses one of the best legs of his generation. No, age should absolutely not play a factor into signing the Baylor product. In 2018, he bagged 20-of-21 field goal attempts, good for a 95.2% clip -- the best mark of his career. Matty still has PLENTY of juice left in that right peg.

1. Joey Slye

There's no doubting that Graham Gano is penciled in as the Panthers No.1 kicker, but Slye has been superb in the preseason thus far. The Virginia Tech product drilled both of his kicks against the Bills on Saturday, including another from over 50 yards (54). His performance should have several team's interested should Carolina opt to part ways with him after the preseason.