Bears tight end Cole Kmet knows first-hand how intertwined the Bears and Packers have become.

His father, Frank, spent brief stints with both teams in the 1990s, although he never played an NFL game. 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,” said Kmet, who was born in Lake Barrington and attended St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights. “Just out of the country. He’ll wear it out of the country.”

Striking even closer to home, Kmet’s younger 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.”

However, it hasn’t gone Kmet’s way often. Heading into the rivals’ first meeting of the season Sunday in Green Bay, he’s 1-9 against the Packers in his five seasons 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,” Kmet 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 they became the No. 1 seed in the NFC: The job is nowhere near done.

“We haven’t accomplished anything yet,” he 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 that attitude is part of why the Bears (9-3) have been successful.

“It’s going to be a big game because it’s the next game, but it’s also Green Bay, and we always want to beat Green Bay,” Booker said. “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’s tops in the NFL with six interceptions, and guard Joe Thuney lead their position groups in the first round of Pro Bowl fan voting.

The other Bears currently in the top 10 for their positions: quarterback Caleb Williams (7), running back D’Andre Smith (10), wide 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), long snapper Scott Daly (3), punter Tory Taylor (8), returner Devin Duvernay (4) and special-teams player Josh Blackwell (3).

• Packers coach Matt LaFleur confirmed what he feared Thursday — that defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt is out for the rest of the season after breaking his ankle in the Thanksgiving game against the Lions.

• Packers wide receiver and Naperville Central alum Jayden Reed, who returned to practice as he continues to recover from foot and collarbone injuries, could come off injured reserve by the game Sunday but must first be medically cleared, LaFleur said.

• 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 Bengals last month.