Santos' opening kickoff out of bounds raised questions about kicking mechanics and confidence, underscoring a special-teams vulnerability on a day when points were at a premium. This moment highlighted a potential swing factor in Chicago's scoring opportunities going forward.

Chicago signed veteran Cairo Santos in an update to the kicking corps; while not central to Williams’ development, the kicker’s reliability affects field-position and late-game scoring potential in tight matches.

Santos carries Week 1 scrutiny into a dome matchup, with Moody on the practice squad offering late-game intrigue. Expect a bounce-back game with a focus on accuracy and distance control, preserving his role for now.

Santos has been the Bears primary kicker with high inside-40 accuracy but limited range beyond, going 1-for-2 in Week 1 and facing Moody s arrival as competition that could sharpen his long-range consistency.

Santos' mis-hit kick and the decision to attempt the end zone frame a kicker-centric storyline in Chicago, with Moody's signing potentially reshaping the late-game kicking equation.