Josh Blackwell

Last updated

Josh Blackwell
No. 39 – Chicago Bears
Position Cornerback
Roster statusActive
Personal information
Born (1999-04-05) April 5, 1999 (age 26)
Buford, Georgia, U.S.
Listed height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Listed weight179 lb (81 kg)
Career information
High school Buford
College Duke (2017–2021)
NFL draft 2022: undrafted
Career history
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics as of 2025
Total tackles 53
Forced fumbles 2
Fumble recoveries 2
Pass deflections 2
Interceptions 1
Defensive touchdowns 1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Josh Blackwell (born April 5, 1999) is an American professional football cornerback for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Duke Blue Devils.

Contents

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 10+3⁄4 in
(1.80 m)		183 lb
(83 kg)		30+1⁄8 in
(0.77 m)		8+1⁄8 in
(0.21 m)		4.34 s1.55 s2.56 s4.31 s6.75 s37.0 in
(0.94 m)		10 ft 10 in
(3.30 m)		11 reps
All values from Pro Day [1]

Philadelphia Eagles

After going unselected in the 2022 NFL draft, Blackwell was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent. [2] He was waived by Philadelphia on August 30, 2022, as part of the team's final roster cuts. [3]

Chicago Bears

On August 31, 2022, Blackwell was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Bears. [4] On January 4, 2023, he was placed on injured reserve. [5]

Blackwell entered the 2023 season as a backup cornerback. He suffered a hamstring injury in Week 3 and was placed on injured reserve on September 29, 2023. [6] He was activated on November 9. [7]

Blackwell (far left) awaiting a punt in 2024 Bears 49ers punt return 2024.jpg
Blackwell (far left) awaiting a punt in 2024

During the 2024 season, Blackwell was occasionally tasked with returning punts. In the final game against the Green Bay Packers, he scored his first NFL touchdown on a 94-yard punt return, giving the Bears an early 7–0 lead. [8] The Bears went on to win 24–22, and Blackwell was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance. [9]

On March 6, 2025, Blackwell signed a two-year contract extension with the Bears. [10] In Week 4, he blocked a game-winning field goal attempt to preserve the Bears' 25–24 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. [11] In Week 16 against the Green Bay Packers, Blackwell recovered a Cairo Santos onside kick late in the fourth quarter, helping propel Chicago to an eventual 22-16 overtime victory. [12]

References

  1. ↑ "2022 Draft Scout Josh Blackwell, Duke NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  2. ↑ Rowe, Adam (May 7, 2022). "Josh Blackwell officially signs with Philadelphia Eagles". 247Sports . Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  3. ↑ McPherson, Chris (August 30, 2022). "Eagles announce initial 53-man roster". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Philadelphia Eagles . Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  4. ↑ Mayer, Larry (August 31, 2022). "Roster Moves: Bears claim six players off waivers". ChicagoBears.com. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  5. ↑ Mayer, Larry (January 4, 2023). "Bears put three on IR, sign three from practice squad | Roster Moves". ChicagoBears.com. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  6. ↑ Wiltfong Jr., Lester A. (September 29, 2023). "Bears place Josh Blackwell on injured reserve". Windy City Gridiron. SB Nation. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  7. ↑ Mayer, Larry (November 9, 2023). "Roster Moves: Bears add St. Brown, three others to active roster". ChicagoBears.com. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  8. ↑ Mayer, Larry (January 6, 2025). "Bears' trick play in Sunday's win required perfect execution". Chicago Bears . Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  9. ↑ Gordon, Grant (January 8, 2025). "Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Broncos QB Bo Nix highlight Players of the Week". NFL.com.
  10. ↑ "Roster Moves: Bears extend DB Josh Blackwell". ChicagoBears.com. March 6, 2025. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
  11. ↑ Moreano, Nicholas (September 28, 2025). "Josh Blackwell reveals how he blocked Raiders field-goal try, sealed Bears win". Marquee Sports Network . Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Cairo Santos, Josh Blackwell lead Bears' fourth-quarter special teams masterclass vs. Packers". chicagobears.com. Retrieved February 21, 2026.


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