Ex-Bears Veteran Starter Signs With Packers Before Week 1
heavy.com • • sports
Key Points:
- The Green Bay Packers signed former Chicago Bears long snapper Scott Daly to their practice squad on September 2, providing depth behind starter Matt Orzech, who recently returned from a calf injury.
- Daly, who has been in the NFL since 2018 and previously started for the Lions and Bears, could potentially start for the Packers in their Week 1 opener against the Minnesota Vikings if Orzech is not fully recovered.
- The Bears initially signed Daly in 2024 but replaced him this offseason with undrafted rookie Beau Gardner, a Patrick Mannelly Award winner, signaling a youth-focused approach at the long snapper position.
- Gardner secured the Bears' starting long snapper role early in training camp, leading to the release of Luke Elkin, another undrafted rookie, as the Bears commit to developing their younger talent in 2026.
- Both the Bears and Packers are set to begin their 2026 regular seasons on September 13, with Daly's move highlighting a rare rivalry crossover in the specialist role.
