CHICAGO (WGN) — The Chicago Bears’ Josh Blackwell was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 18, according to a press release from the NFL’s league office.
Blackwell recorded a 94-yard punt-return touchdown in the Bears’ 24-22 victory at the Green Bay Packers, one of eight games in Week 18 decided by seven or fewer points, the most in the final week of the season since nine in 2015.
Blackwell’s touchdown marked the only punt-return touchdown in the NFL in Week 18 and the longest punt-return by an NFC player this season.
This is the first-career Special Teams Player of the Week award for Blackwell, who became the third Bears non-kicker/punter to win Special Teams Player of the Week since 2020, joining Jakeem Grant (Week 14, 2021) and Cole Kmet (Week 6, 2024).
Blackwell also became the first former Duke defensive back to win Special Teams Player of the Week.