Cairo Santos Lobbied Bears Coaches to Attempt Game-Sealing 58-Yard FG vs. Patriots

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson's gutsy decision to let kicker Cairo Santos attempt a 58-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter of Thursday's 30-24 win over the New England Patriots was heavily influenced by Santos himself.

Santos told reporters after the game that he was vocal about wanting the opportunity to try the kick, saying, "I was talking to [special teams coordinator Richard Hightower] HT that I felt good about the line. And then Ben asked, 'Does he want it?' And I heard it and I told HT, 'I want it.' And then Ben said he wants it. I'm thankful that Ben trusts me on that."

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Johnson confirmed the pre-kick conversation, saying, "One, we felt good about being inside that line, and two, we asked him, he said, 'Absolutely, I need redemption because I missed one earlier.' He came through for us in a big way."

Santos missed a 53-yard field goal earlier in the fourth quarter, so when Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was sacked, pushing Chicago to the edge of field goal range, it seemed likely that Johnson would punt the ball back to New England.

Instead, Johnson put his trust in Santos, who nailed a new career long to extend the Chicago lead to nine with 1:34 remaining in the fourth quarter, essentially putting the game away.

After a Patriots field goal, the Bears recovered an onside kick, and clinched a 5-2 start to the season in the process.