The Chicago Bears are in an interesting spot after their 25-24 win over the Washington Commanders on Monday Night Football. 

The team will have a decision to make about their kicker Cairo Santos after Jake Moody come in off the practice squad a hit the 38-yard game winner to improve their record to 3-2. 

Santos has been a reliable option for the Bears, had not missed a game since they signed him in 2020 up until Monday night. Moody went 4-of-5 on field goals and 1-of-1 on extra points in relief of Santos. 

However, head coach Ben Johnson stated at his presser Wednesday that Santos will assume his regular role when healthy. When someone asked him if Santos will kick when healthy the head coach simply replied yes. 

"Yes." Johnson said. 

Santos has been in the NFL since 2014, starting his career with the Kansas City Chiefs. He remained in Kansas City until 2017, when he started his first stint with the Bears that season. He has also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2018), Los Angeles Rams (2018) and Tennessee Titans (2019). 

Santos has been consistent with the Bears since 2020, not missing more than five field goals each season. Before his injury, he had made 6-of-7 extra points. 

Moody came to Chicago after being released by the San Francisco 49ers earlier this season. He was drafted out of Michigan in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Moody has proven to a reliable kicking option in the past. On extra points, he went 21-of-25 in 2023, 24-of-34 2024, and has gone 5-of-8 this season. 

The decision by Johnson may not be one that fans necessarily agree with, but it is one that makes sense considering how much more experienced Santos is than Moody. 

It will be interesting to see what the Bears decide to do with Moody, whether they keep him around and simply reassign him to the practice squad, or decide to part ways with him.

It will all come down to how Santos appears on Chicago's injury report ahead of its matchup with the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.  The Saints come into the game at 1-5 and are struggling under first-year head coach Kellen Moore. 

The Bears look to increase their winning streak under Johnson from three games to four. Kickoff of Sunday's game will be at noon CT on Fox live from Soldier Field.