Kmet’s two touchdowns in the second quarter set up a 14-3 halftime lead for the Bears, but they also allowed the veteran to forget about any nerves he had regarding his new long-snapping duties.
“I think I was tired enough on each of those where I’m not even thinking about it in a sense,” Kmet said. “You’re just so tired on the field. You’re like, ‘okay I’m gonna shoot this ball in between my legs real quick and get this over with.'”
Kmet told reporters long snapper is “definitely not a position I envisioned playing in the NFL — ever,” and he admitted the situation is his “biggest worry going into gameday.” While he takes two or three snaps during Thursday practices each week, Kmet hasn’t had a live snap at the position since high school.
Kmet disclosed that while growing up, he and his brother would practice long snapping in the backyard because his father and uncle knew how to play the position.
“It was just kind of a ‘more you can do’ thing, thinking if you ever needed to make a team … if they’re deciding between two guys, having that ability, they’re gonna keep you on the roster for those types of things,” Kmet added. “Obviously I’m not in that position right now, but that was the mindset of learning how to do it. I wanted to play in the NFL one day, so that was the thing behind it, and it paid off today.”
While Kmet received extra attention Sunday after being thrust into the long-snapping role, Kmet’s role as a consistent weapon for Williams remains a key part of the Bears offense.
The veteran notched his fifth two-touchdown game of his career and his first since last November 5 in New Orleans. He is also among the league leaders for tight ends in multiple receiving categories. Following the conclusion of Sunday’s game, Kmet ranked third with 289 receiving yards, tied for second with three touchdowns, third with 26 receptions and tied for first in 20-yard gains.
As the Bears offense offense’s production continues to increase seemingly every week — the unit tallied 373 yards against Jacksonville — so will Kmet’s success in his listed position on the depth chart. But for today, those six plays at long snapper will remain a subject of the team’s plane ride back to Chicago.
“Cole had some really nice catches, a couple touchdowns,” coach Matt Eberflus told NFL Network’s Stacey Dales at halftime. “First man in the history of ball to get two touchdowns and snap it afterward.”