Bears' Josh Blackwell named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week

The Chicago Bears pulled off an improbable win over the Green Bay Packers to wrap the 2024 season, winning 24-22 on a game-winning kick by Cairo Santos. But there was another special teams player who played a key role in the victory: punt returner Josh Blackwell.

Blackwell earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors in Week 18 after his first-quarter touchdown served as the catalyst for Chicago snapping their 10-game losing streak and 11-game losing skid against Green Bay.

Blackwell scored his first NFL touchdown on a trick play punt return. DJ Moore initially dropped back to field the punt, but he shifted to the left as the ball was in the air. Blackwell shifted right and caught the punt and returned the ball, untouched, 94 yards for the score.

Blackwell's 94-yard punt return touchdown is tied for the third longest in Bears history, since at least 1948, and the second longest in the league during the 2024 season.

Blackwell, who's been a core special teams player since he signed as an undrafted free agent with Chicago in 2022, shifted to punt returner after DeAndre Carter was lost for the season. And it's a role he's thrived in since.

This is the third time a Bears player has earned Special Teams Player of the Week honors this season. Blackwell joins punter Tory Taylor (Week 4) and tight end Cole Kmet (Week 6).

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears' Josh Blackwell named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week