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Courtney Cronin, ESPN Staff WriterJan 5, 2025, 01:35 PM ET
- Courtney Cronin joined ESPN in 2017, originally covering the Minnesota Vikings before switching to the Chicago Bears in 2022. Courtney is a frequent panelist on Around the Horn and host of Best Week Ever on ESPN Radio. She also co-hosts The Chicago Bears Podcast on ESPN 1000. She previously worked at the San Jose Mercury News as a multimedia sports journalist.
GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Chicago Bears brought out the trickeration on special teams for their final game of the season.
The Bears pulled off a fake punt return touchdown and a page from former special teams coordinator Dave Toub’s playbook to post a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter. It’s the first lead held by Chicago in any game since Nov. 24.
With 6:52 remaining in the first quarter, Green Bay punter Daniel Whelan sent a punt adjacent to the visitor’s sideline. Bears wide receiver DJ Moore fooled the Packers’ coverage unit by acting like he was about to receive the punt inside the 5-yard line while cornerback Josh Blackwell was left unattended on the opposite side of the field.
— NFL (@NFL) January 5, 2025
Blackwell fielded the punt over his shoulder, pivoted and ran 94 yards down the field for a touchdown before jumping into the stands at Lambeau Field. This was the longest punt return for Chicago since it had a 97-yard punt return TD in 2021, which also came against Green Bay.
Chicago ran a similar punt return in Green Bay in 2011 when Hall of Fame return specialist Devin Hester faked like he was going to catch a punt while receiver Johnny Knox took the ball back for a would-be score. That play was called back due to a penalty.
