Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet faced his biggest fear in football unexpectedly. In an instant, you could say.
Kmet scored two touchdowns and was called in for emergency long-snapping duties during Chicago’s 35-16 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
The tight end successfully snapped the ball after each of Caleb Williams’ four touchdown passes and D’Andre Swift’s 1-yard run, helping the Bears (4-2) win their third straight game for the first time in almost four years.
“Definitely not a position I envisioned playing in the NFL — ever,” Kmet said, referring to his new role. “(It’s) my biggest worry going into the game.”
Long snapper Scott Daly left the game early due to a knee injury, so Kmet had to step in. Although he’s the designated emergency long snapper since he did it in high school, he only practices a couple of snaps each week.
“Thankfully didn’t have to do any punt scenarios,” he mentioned. Punting wasn’t a concern. The Bears punted after their first two drives but not again.
Keenan Allen also caught two touchdown passes and led a celebration after his 9-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter. His second touchdown put Chicago ahead 28-10 early in the fourth.
“When he’s in a groove like that, and all the balls are catchable, it’s pretty easier to play receiver,” Allen said about Williams. “Week in, week out, he gets better. When we pick up the tempo, he’s a lot more comfortable. He’s able to see things faster, and defenses can’t do all the moving around.”
The Jaguars (1-5) started strong, but Gabe Davis dropped a pass in the end zone after getting called for a false start, forcing Jacksonville to settle for a field goal on their opening drive.
Davis later caught two second-half touchdown passes from Trevor Lawrence, with the second one making the score 35-16.
Kmet broke two tackles on a 31-yard touchdown catch that gave Chicago a 7-3 lead in the second quarter as the Bears used a no-huddle offense to energize their game.
Williams found Kmet in the end zone with 13 seconds left in the half to finish an 85-yard drive that included the rookie quarterback scrambling for 23 yards on one play and 19 on another.
