Panthers HC Ron Rivera Says He Called Timeout to Test Bears Kicker Elliott Fry

Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera used a strategic timeout during Thursday's preseason opener to help the Chicago Bears.

Per ESPN's Jeff Dickerson, Rivera admitted after the game he called a timeout before Bears kicker Elliott Fry attempted a 43-yard field goal to help head coach Matt Nagy's evaluation process.

"You know what is funny, I did that to help the Bears because they are in a kicking contest," Rivera said.

Rivera attempted to ice Fry on the final play before halftime, but the rookie made his kick to give the Bears a 10-6 lead. The Panthers ultimately prevailed 23-13.

Chicago has been searching for a kicker since last season's 16-15 NFC Wild Card Game loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, when Cody Parkey missed a 43-yard attempt in the final seconds of the fourth quarter.

The Bears subsequently released Parkey in March, one year after he signed a four-year, $15 million deal ($9 million guaranteed). Nagy then held a competition in May during rookie minicamp that featured nine kickers auditioning for the job.

Per Dickerson, Nagy said after Thursday's game that Rivera's timeout "wasn't planned, but I'm kind of glad he did it."

The Bears' preseason kicking competition likely has Fry in the lead over Eddy Pineiro. The former South Carolina kicker made his lone field-goal attempt and an extra point. Pineiro went 1-of-2 on field-goal attempts, making one from 23 yards out and missing a 48-yarder.

Fry, 24, previously played for the Orlando Apollos in the AAF. He went 14-of-14 on field goals in eight games.