Cole Kmet’s Two-Touchdown Performance Powers Bears Past Jaguars in London

Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet faced an unexpected challenge on Sunday, stepping into the unfamiliar role of long snapper during the team’s 35-16 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

Kmet, known for his receiving skills, took on the emergency long-snapping duties after long snapper Scott Daly left the game with a knee injury. Despite the limited practice reps he gets in this position, Kmet delivered accurate snaps after each of quarterback Caleb Williams’ four touchdown passes and D’Andre Swift’s 1-yard rushing score.

“Definitely not a position I ever envisioned playing in the NFL,” Kmet admitted after the game. The Bears’ coaching staff knew Kmet had long-snapping experience from high school, which led to him being the team’s emergency option. Kmet humorously added that he was relieved not to face any punting scenarios.

Kmet’s contributions went far beyond his makeshift long-snapping role. He also caught two crucial second-quarter touchdown passes, helping the Bears secure their third straight win, a streak the team hasn’t achieved in nearly four years. Wide receiver Keenan Allen added to the Bears’ dominance with two touchdown catches, including a 9-yard score in the third quarter that led to a celebratory “tea party” on the field.

The Jacksonville Jaguars struggled to capitalize on their early momentum. Trevor Lawrence connected with Gabe Davis for two second-half touchdowns, but the team’s early missteps, including a dropped pass by Davis in the end zone and a false start, forced them to settle for a field goal on their opening drive.

Jaguars coach Doug Pederson acknowledged his team’s “self-inflicted wounds” and said that the team needs to find a way out of its current struggles, particularly with a 1-5 record this season.

Caleb Williams, the Bears’ rookie quarterback and No. 1 overall draft pick, showed poise and composure throughout the game. He completed 23 of 29 passes for 226 yards, threw four touchdown passes, and ran for 56 yards. Williams’ impressive play continued to fuel optimism around his development as Chicago’s franchise quarterback.

On the other side, Lawrence finished 23 of 35 for 234 yards with two touchdown passes but couldn’t keep pace with the Bears’ high-powered offense.

While Kmet’s emergency long-snapping may have stolen headlines, it was his overall performance and the Bears’ collective effort that secured the victory. As Chicago continues its winning streak, they’ll be hoping for more of the same from their versatile tight end and rising stars in the weeks to come.