In a season short on highlights for the Chicago Bears, fans were treated to a show-stopping special teams play that has the league buzzing. On Sunday, the Bears unleashed one of the most inventive trick plays we’ve seen, reminding everyone that creativity is alive and well in the NFL.
The stage was set in the first quarter after the Bears forced the Packers to punt. Enter DJ Moore, lined up for a return that seemed routine—until it wasn’t. Moore acted as the perfect decoy, drawing the attention of seemingly the entire Packers’ coverage team. Meanwhile, on the other side of the field, Josh Blackwell quietly positioned himself to field the punt.
Daniel Whelan, punting for the Packers, sent the ball high into the air. As the Packers barreled towards Moore, expecting him to field it, Blackwell snagged the ball unnoticed. And just like that, the magic unfolded. Blackwell sprinted 94 yards down the field, practically untouched, marking what could only be described as one of the smoothest and most efficient punt returns of all time.
This masterstroke not only resulted in the Bears’ first punt return touchdown since 2021 but also secured the second-longest punt return of the NFL season. Only Jacksonville’s Parker Washington, with his 96-yard sprint, managed to edge out Blackwell’s impressive feat.
While the Bears have faced a tough season, this kind of ingenuity offers a spark of excitement for their fanbase and a reminder of the unpredictability that makes football great. With a chance to cap off their season with a victory over the storied rivals from Green Bay, the Bears have set the stage for a thrilling finale.
