Bears signing hometown kicker Andre Szmyt with undrafted free agent deal

Jim Dedmon - USA Today Sports

by Tony Crumpton - Senior Editor - Sunday, April 30, 2023, 12:32 PM

The Chicago Bears have added a hometown hero to their roster, signing Syracuse standout kicker Andre Szmyt to their team.

According to his agency EquitySports, the Vernon Hills, Illinois native attended the Bears' local pro day and will now become a member of the Bears.

Szmyt was a standout kicker at Syracuse University, where he won the Lou Groza Award as a redshirt freshman in 2018.

He accumulated 100 points in his final season at Syracuse, going 20-for-26 on field goals and making all 40 of his extra-point attempts.

While his performance in his final year wasn't quite up to par with his standout season in 2018, where he made all 61 of his extra-point attempts and went 30-for-34 on field goals. He was named a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award for his efforts.

Over his five-year college career, Szmyt has made 98 percent of his extra-point attempts and made at least 75 percent of his field goals in four of his five seasons.

It's always exciting when a local kid gets the chance to play for their hometown team, and that's exactly the case with Szmyt. Growing up just 15 minutes away from the Bears facilities in Vernon Hills, Illinois, he likely dreamed of playing for the team as a child.

Now, that dream has become a reality as he joins the Bears roster and looks to make an impact on the field.

With his impressive track record and hometown roots, Szmyt has the potential to become a fan favorite in Chicago if he can make the team.