A Special Teams Surprise

Tory Taylor

Tory Taylor locks in during practice — perfect form and full focus as he gets ready to flip the field, one punt at a time.

When the Bears selected punter Tory Taylor in the 5th round of the 2024 NFL Draft, many fans were puzzled. After all, punters are rarely picked that high, and Chicago already had Trenton Gill, a 2022 draft pick who had shown flashes of potential. The confusion deepened when fans realized that the Bears didn’t have any 6th or 7th round picks in this draft — meaning Taylor wasn’t just a luxury pick late in the day. He was a mid-round priority.

Predraft Analysis

Tory Taylor entered the draft as the consensus top punter in the class and one of the most hyped special teams prospects in years. Coming out of Iowa, Taylor wasn’t just known for booming punts — he was known for changing the field. His leg strength, directional kicking, hang time, and consistency made him a true field-position weapon. Over his college career, he flipped the field on a regular basis, constantly pinning opponents inside their 10 or 20-yard line. Analysts labeled him a “field position cheat code” and projected him as an immediate NFL starter.

His stats backed up the hype:

• Averaged over 46 yards per punt during his senior year.
• Ranked among the national leaders in punts inside the 20.
• Consistently showcased elite hang time that helped his coverage unit.

It was rare to hear anyone talk about a punter as a game-changer, but with Taylor, that was the conversation.

The Situation at the Time

At the time of the draft, Trenton Gill was still on the roster. Though he had a solid rookie season, his sophomore year saw some inconsistencies. He struggled with placement, particularly in high-pressure situations, and lacked the hang time that could give his coverage team an edge. While not terrible by any means, Gill didn’t seem to develop into the long-term answer, and the Bears’ special teams unit ranked toward the middle of the pack.

Still, it was surprising to see a front office use a 5th-round pick on a punter — especially when offensive line depth and defensive needs still lingered.

The Takeaway

This pick may have raised eyebrows in the moment, but it also sent a clear message: field position matters to this regime. Whether it was a calculated gamble or simply Poles staying true to his board, the Tory Taylor selection reflected a belief that special teams is not an afterthought — it’s a phase of the game that can win or lose football games.

It also reinforced another message: there are no free lunches on this roster. With special teams being taken this seriously, it’s clear that every player — even developmental ones — needs to contribute on the field in some meaningful way. You won’t be able to hide in the pack, loaf around at the bottom of the depth chart, and assume your spot is safe. If you’re not starting on offense or defense, you better be making your presence felt on special teams. The Bears are building a culture where everyone is expected to pull their weight — and Tory Taylor’s selection is a big, booming reminder of that.