Bears tight end Cole Kmet knows first-hand how intertwined the Bears and Packers have become.
Kmet’s father played for brief stints with both rivals. Kmet’s best friend — one who was in his wedding — was raised a Packers fan and didn’t change allegiance once his buddy was drafted by his hometown team.
“He still won’t wear my damn jersey,” Kmet, who was born in Lake Barrington and attended St. Viator, said Monday. “Just out of the country. He’ll wear it out of the country.”
Something that strikes even closer to home — Kmet’s sister Frankie has been dating Packers defensive end Lukas Van Ness for the last three years. Van Ness went to Barrington High School.
“It’s a lot of fun for me and a lot of fun for my family. …” Kmet said of the Bears-Packers rivalry. “There’s a lot to it. I have a lot of fun with it. It’s spirited.”
It hasn’t gone Kmet’s way often — he’s 1-9 against the Packers in his five years with the Bears, with the lone victory coming in Week 18 last year at Lambeau Field.
“This is a game that I look forward to every year,” he said. “This is one of my favorites, especially going up there. I obviously have respect for the opponent, but it’s an honor to be part of this type of game.
“I’m looking forward to the two times we get to face them now down the stretch here. Both look they’re going to be very meaningful games for both teams going forward.”
We’re No. 1?
Coach Ben Johnson’s message to the Bears the morning after becoming the NFC’s No. 1 seed — the job is nowhere near done.
“We haven’t accomplished anything yet,” Johnson said. “We’re [at] nine wins. I think this year, you’re probably gonna have to get to 11 to make it in the tournament. That’s what we need to do. We’ve got to get there first.”
Defensive end Austin Booker said the 9-3 Bears have been successful because of that attitude.
“It’s going to be a big game because it’s the next game,” he said. “But it’s also Green Bay and we always want to beat Green Bay. So, yeah, we have had the same mindset since the beginning of the season: win the next game. Next game is the biggest game.”
Notes
• Bears safety Kevin Byard, who is tops the NFL in interceptions, and guard Joe Thuney lead their position groups in the first round of Pro Bowl fan voting.
The other Bears in the top 10 in their positions: quarterback Caleb Williams (7), running back D’Andre Smith (10), receiver Rome Odunze (10), center Drew Dalman (2), cornerback Nahshon Wright (2), defensive end Montez Sweat (8), guard Jonah Jackson (7), tackle Darnell Wright (4), tight end Colston Loveland (8), safety Jaquan Brisker (9), longsnapper Scott Daly (3), punter Tory Taylor (8), returner Devin Duvernay (4) and special teamer Josh Blackwell (3).
• Packers coach Matt LaFleur confirmed what he feared Thursday — that defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt is out for the year after breaking his ankle against the Lions.
• Packers receiver Jayden Reed, who returned to practice as he continues to recover from foot and collarbone injuries, could come off injured reserve by Sunday’s game but must first be medically cleared, LaFleur said. Reed went to Naperville Central High School.
• After cutting him Thursday, the Bears re-signed running back Brittain Brown to the practice squad and cut linebacker Dominique Hampton. Brown had five carries for 37 yards and a touchdown against the Browns last month.