Josh Blackwell

PRO CAREER:

• In his fourth season in the NFL in 2025
• Signed with the Bears on August 31, 2022
• Originally signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent
• Has played in 44 games with two starts, totaling 22 tackles (15 solo) and 23 tackles on special teams along with two forced fumbles and fumble recovery
• Also has a punt return for a touchdown

HONORS:

• 2024: NFC Special Teams Player of the Week (Week 18)
• 2025: NFC Special Teams Player of the Week (Week 4)

2025 SEASON (BEARS):

• Has appeared in three games
• Has one special teams tackle and one blocked kick
• With under a minute to play in Week 4, blocked a go-ahead field goal attempt by Raiders K Daniel Carlson, sealing the Bears second victory of the season and earning him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week

2024 SEASON (BEARS):

• Played in all 17 games with one start during the 2024 season
• Recorded six defensive tackles (five solo) and seven special teams tackles (five solo)
• Recorded his first career interception during the Bears' Week 6 victory against the Jaguars leading to a Bears touchdown just three plays later
• Served as the Bears punt returner during the final five weeks of the season
• He had seven total returns for 146 yards (20.9 avg.)
• In Week 18 he returned a punt 94-yards for a touchdown, tied for the third longest punt return by a Bears players since at least 1948
• Earned Special Teams Player of the Week in Week 18 at Green Bay

2023 SEASON (BEARS):

• Recorded four defensive tackles (two solo) and four special teams tackles in 10 games played
• Spent Weeks 4-9 on injured reserve
• Recorded first forced fumble of season in Week 12 against Vikings

2022 SEASON (Bears):

• Played in 15 games during the 2022 season, with one start
• Saw his first NFL game action in Week 1 vs. San Francisco, taking snaps primarily with the special teams unit
• Logged the first tackle of his NFL career in Week 2 with a solo tackle on special teams at the Packers
• Played on special teams in the Week 3 victory vs. Houston
• In Week 4 at New York, recorded the first Bears turnover of the game after he punched the ball loose from Giants punt returner Richie James and scooped up the fumble with 4:02 remaining in the second quarter
• Was both the first forced fumble and fumble recovery of his career
• Also logged a tackle on special teams
• Had two assists on special teams at Minnesota in Week 5
• Played on special teams against Washington in Week 6
• Registered a tackle on special teams against the Patriots in Week 7
• Featured on special teams against the Cowboys in Week 8
• Played on over half the special teams snaps in Week 9 vs. Miami
• Played 66% of the snaps on special teams against Detroit in Week 10
• Contributed on special teams in the Bears' Week 11 contest at Atlanta, recording two special teams tackles
• Finished with an assist on special teams in Week 12 vs. New York
• Made the first start of his professional career against the Packers in Week 13, finishing with four solo tackles, one of which came on special teams
• Registered a solo tackle on special teams in Week 15 vs. Philadelphia
• Contributed four combined tackles (two solo) vs. the Bills in Week 16
• Had four combined tackles (two solo) in Week 17 at Detroit