The Bears on Thursday signed veteran defensive back Josh Blackwell to a two-year contract extension.
Blackwell has appeared in 43 career games for the Bears since joining Chicago in 2022. Blackwell's 22 total special teams tackles since 2022 are the most by any Bears special teamer over the last three seasons. Last year, Blackwell saw action in all 17 games, totaling seven special teams tackles, tied for third-most by any Bears special teamer. In Chicago's Week 18 road victory over Green Bay, Blackwell secured a 94-yard punt return touchdown, the first punt return touchdown by a member of the Bears since 2021. Blackwell's 94-yard return registered as the second-longest punt return touchdown in the NFL in 2024 and tied for the third-longest punt return touchdown by any member of the Bears since at least 1948.
Prior to entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022, Blackwell prepped collegiately at Duke University (2017-21), where he totaled 96 tackles, two tackles for loss, one forced fumble and 20 pass breakups, along with 25 punt returns for 230 yards (9.20) in 37 career games.
