Parkey's tenure comes to an end just one year into a four-year deal he signed in 2018
By James Neveau ••
The Chicago Bears have made one of the offseason’s most closely watched moves official, as the team has announced its release of kicker Cody Parkey.
Parkey, who made 23-of-30 field goals during the regular season with the Bears, missed a potentially game-winning kick in the NFC Wild Card Game against the Philadelphia Eagles, and his handling of the aftermath soured the Bears’ brass on the kicker.
Parkey’s release will be effective June 1, according to the team. The decision comes just one year into the four-year contract that he signed with the team over the 2018 offseason, and means that the Bears will have to pay a cap hit of $5.2 million for the 2019 season, even with him off the roster.
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 06: Jordan Howard #24 and Kyle Long #75 of the Chicago Bears react to their 15 to 16 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Soldier Field on January 06, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 06: Cody Parkey #1 of the Chicago Bears reacts after missing a field goal attempt in the final moments of their 15 to 16 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Soldier Field on January 06, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 06: Head coach Matt Nagy of the Chicago Bears walks off of the field after their 15 to 16 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Soldier Field on January 06, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 06: Alshon Jeffery #17 of the Philadelphia Eagles tries to avoid the tackle of Kyle Fuller #23 of the Chicago Bears in the first quarter of the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Soldier Field on January 06, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 06: Brian Urlacher and Dick Butkus of the Chicago Bears take the field for their game against the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Soldier Field on January 06, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 06: Nick Foles #9 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks to pass against the Chicago Bears in the first half of the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Soldier Field on January 06, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 06: Jordan Howard #24 of the Chicago Bears carries the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles in the first half of the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Soldier Field on January 06, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 06: Nick Foles #9 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks to pass against the Chicago Bears in the first half of the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Soldier Field on January 06, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 06: Mitchell Trubisky #10 of the Chicago Bears calls a play against the Philadelphia Eagles in the first half of the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Soldier Field on January 06, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 06: Anthony Miller #17 of the Chicago Bears looks on as Cody Parkey #1 sets up for a field goal attempt in the final moments of their 15 to 16 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Soldier Field on January 06, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 06: Deon Bush #26 of the Chicago Bears walks off of the field after their 15 to 16 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Soldier Field on January 06, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 06: Mitchell Trubisky #10 and Marcus Williams #31 of the Chicago Bears walk off of the field after their 15 to 16 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Soldier Field on January 06, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
The Bears have signed several kickers this offseason to compete for Parkey’s job, including Redford Jones and Chris Blewitt.
The Bears also announced that offensive lineman Rashaad Coward, linebacker Isaiah Irving, and defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris have been tendered contracts, meaning they will return to the team next season.
