Chicago Bears rookie is giving fans a reason to be worried about special teams

Just one week removed from their spectacular victory to start the season, the Chicago Bears got manhandled at home in week 2.

The Bears lost 9-3 to their division rival, the Minnesota Vikings. Ben Johnson’s offense looked out of sorts all day, and some of that can be attributed to the Vikings’ great defense. To make matters worse, QB Caleb Williams was carted off with a hamstring injury, as the organization holds their breath waiting for results.

Even with the hard loss, the Bears have some things they should be happy about. Defensively, they looked much better as a unit compared to Week 1, when they gave up 37 points.

They sacked Minnesota QB Carson Wentz three times and didn’t allow a touchdown all game. Usually, that’s a recipe for success. However, with crappy weather and inconsistent play on offense, it wasn’t enough.

One big part of the team that had some blunders was special teams, a unit that is typically a strong point for the Bears.

Cairo Santos had a field goal blocked that would’ve tied the game 6-6. It’s only the third time since 1998 the Bears have had a field goal inside of 30 yards blocked. Isaiah Rodgers was able to fly off the edge, dive, and block the field goal. He was unblocked, and rookie tight end Sam Roush completely missed him.

Earlier in the game, Santos hit a 50-yarder, but the snap was quite high. Bears rookie long snapper Beau Gardner signed as a UDFA this summer and has had the starting job ever since. He also had a high snap in Week 1.

Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs wrote about Gardner today, as he seemed confused about the snap count on the play. For a field goal that short to be missed, it could’ve been a communication problem.

“I don’t know why the Bears would snap the ball on a later count in that situation. It was fourth-and-goal from the 5-yard line. If they had gotten the Vikings to jump offside, you’re looking at fourth down from the 2½. A penalty wouldn’t have resulted in a first down with the Bears trailing 6-3.”

Biggs continued, hinting that Gardner’s job could be in jeopardy if he has any more hiccups. The long snapper position often gets overlooked, but it’s a crucial part of special teams.

“The Bears may be in a position where they need to consider a tryout or replacement. Last year’s long snapper, Scott Daly, was signed to the practice squad of the New Orleans Saints last week. He was elevated from the practice squad and replaced Zach Wood (calf injury) in Sunday’s 24-17 win in Baltimore. With Wood on injured reserve, Daly may have a job for a few weeks in New Orleans.”

Chicago Bears rookie long snapper Beau Gardner should be worried about his status on this roster

Beau Gardner went to Georgia and was a top-tier long snapper by collegiate standards. By the end of his senior season, Gardner was named a first-team All-SEC player for the second straight year and a first-team All-American by the AFCA.

He was also announced as the winner of the 2025 Patrick Mannelly Award, which goes to the best long snapper in the country.

Shortly after he signed as a UDFA, Gardner won the long snapper job over his competitor, Luke Elkin.

That said, the NFL is a make-or-miss league. A few mishaps at such a crucial position like this can get you removed from a roster fast. He wasn’t the problem on the missed field goal, at least not the main issue, which was Roush getting beat so badly on the edge.

“As a wing, you have your inside gap and with your outside hand, you’re punching out on (Rodgers), the widest rusher or the first rusher outside of you,” Roush said. “I felt like I got a piece of him. Clearly I didn’t get enough because he got there in time.”

Roush also dropped a wide-open touchdown in the red zone, just plays before Caleb Williams got hurt.

It wasn’t an easy day for any Chicago Bear, but especially these two rookies.

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