LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — Bears tight end Cole Kmet is a native of Lake Barrington who grew up watching the franchise as a fan before becoming a captain and key figure for the team.
More than most inside the locker room at Halas Hall, Kmet has an appreciation for the Bears’ long history – the great moments and many struggles through the years. He knows the franchise hasn't solidified a place as being nationally relevant.
With that as background, it isn't lost on Kmet that these Bears could be taking off toward better days.
The Bears (4-2) and Commanders (5-2) will kick off at 3:25 p.m. CT this Sunday at Northwest Stadium just outside of Washington D.C. in a game that was shifted from its original noon CT start time into the prime slot on CBS’ late afternoon slate.
National attention is awaiting Kmet and the upstart Bears, who are embracing the grand stage on which to perform.
“That’s when everyone’s watching you,” Kmet said. “There’s no reason to shy away from that. We treat everything the same in terms of our preparation. As a player, when you’re a kid growing up, those are the games you watch. Everyone watches the Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football. You want to be on those time slots. Those late-afternoon slots are a big slot as well. I’m pumped. I think it’s a cool matchup we have here coming up against Washington, a team that’s done really well here so far. Obviously, they have a lot of talent as well. I think it’s a good matchup for us and a good opportunity to show what we are now on a national stage.”
If health allows, this Sunday will bring viewers a matchup between the top two picks in the 2024 NFL Draft: quarterbacks Caleb Williams (Bears) and Jayden Daniels (Commanders). In short order, each has elevated his respective franchise as a rookie.
Williams, 22, has thrown for 1,317 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions in his first six starts. The Bears have won three straight games, though none of those have been designated road contests.
Daniels, 23, has thrown for 1,410 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions in seven games. Daniels left the Commanders' 40-7 win over the Panthers on Sunday with a rib injury. His availability for Sunday remains in question as he's considered week-to-week, the Commanders said.
The Bears are coming off their bye week with a 4-2 record, which puts them in last place in the strong NFC North. The Lions (5-1) knocked off the Vikings (5-1) on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium to move into a tie atop the division, while the Packers (5-2) beat the Texans at Lambeau Field.
“It’s pretty crazy,” Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards said of the standings. “I mean, obviously, we know those teams pretty well. But it’s good football being played right now.
“We’re excited for this stretch we have coming up, for sure.”
The Bears will play the Commanders, Cardinals (2-4) and Patriots (1-6) before closing their regular-season schedule by playing six of their final eight games against NFC North foes. That closing stretch could ultimately decide whether Chicago is plays in the postseason for the first time since 2020 or misses out once again.
As the Bears seek to stack victories and push their way toward the playoffs, the national spotlight will find them. Their game against the Packers on Nov. 17 at Soldier Field, currently set for noon CT, could be shifted into the late afternoon or primetime. The Bears will be showcased on Thanksgiving Day when they play the Lions at Ford Field on Nov. 28. Chicago also plays at Minnesota on Monday Night Football on Dec. 16 and will host Seattle on Thursday Night Football on Dec. 26.
It's all a welcome development for the Bears, who understand that with success comes a brighter spotlight. It will shine upon a team trying to rise up in a tightly contested division race.
“I know as a player, those are the games I want to play in,” Kmet said. “I’m sick of playing at noon all the time. I like playing in those primetime slots. That’s when everyone’s watching. They’re the games you want to be in as a player. I know as a locker room, we’ve got a bunch of guys that we want to be that. But there’s a lot of work to do if we want to not only get to those games at the end of the year but also come out and be winning those games as well.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.