Head coach Matt Eberflus of the Chicago Bears may have a tough decision to make regarding punter Trenton Gill. Gill, who was selected by the Bears in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL draft, has held the position for the past two years. However, there are rumors that the team may choose to draft another punter in the upcoming NFL draft.
According to longtime Bears insider Brad Biggs, Iowa punter Tory Taylor is a potential option for the Bears in April’s draft. Biggs believes that Taylor could be the highest-drafted punter in over a decade and that the Bears will want to provide serious competition for Gill. In fact, Biggs even suggests that Taylor could be drafted as early as the second or third rounds.
Taylor, a 26-year-old Australian native, joined the Hawkeyes in 2020 to play college football. During his time at Iowa, Taylor impressed with his ability to pin opponents back inside their own 20-yard-line, achieving this on 43.1% of his 295 total punts. With the Bears’ defensive-minded head coach, Matt Eberflus, it is easy to see the appeal of adding a player with Taylor’s unique skill set.
Not only does Taylor have impressive directional control, but he also has the ability to make punts difficult to catch and field due to his exceptional spin on the ball. His average punt distance of 46.3 yards at Iowa, and an impressive 48.2 yards in 2023, would make him one of the top-10 punters in the NFL. Taylor’s talent was recognized when he won the Ray Guy Award in 2023, which is given to the nation’s best punter.
The question remains whether Taylor is worth a draft pick for the Bears. Ultimately, it will be up to Bears general manager Ryan Poles to make that decision. However, many believe that bringing in competition for Gill is necessary and should have been done sooner.
SEVENTH-ROUND PICK SHOCKS CRITICS, EARNS STARTING JOB
In a surprising turn of events, a seventh-round pick has defied expectations and made a name for himself in the NFL. Despite being overlooked by many, this young player has proven his worth and secured the starting job. Meet Taylor Gill, a 25-year-old punter for the Chicago Bears.
Gill’s rookie season showcased his potential as he impressed fans and critics alike. His booming punts, including a career-long 76-yarder against the Arizona Cardinals, left a lasting impression. However, it hasn’t been all smooth sailing for Gill. Consistency, accuracy, and ball placement have been areas of concern, hindering his ability to consistently flip the field.
Last season, Gill’s average of 46.1 yards per punt ranked 25th among all punters in the league. Additionally, his performance in downing punts inside the 20-yard line was lackluster, placing him 30th in the NFL. A less-than-ideal statistic for Gill was his ranking of third in touchbacks, highlighting room for improvement.
Despite these shortcomings, there may be hope for the Bears. Rumors suggest that a potential replacement for Gill could be on the horizon. Taylor, a highly touted prospect, could be the solution to Chicago’s punting woes. While it remains uncertain if he will fall into the Bears’ hands, insiders like Biggs believe there is a strong possibility. Keep an eye out for Taylor as the upcoming draft approaches.
Beth Mishler-Elmore
