Dec 12, 2021; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Jakeem Grant Sr. (17) rushes for a touchdown after catching a pass during the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes heaped praise on Jakeem Grant for his punt return touchdown for the Chicago Bears on Sunday.
When facing Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the Chicago Bears have only won five of their 26 meetings entering their Week 14 matchup. The Bears put up a fight early on with some impressive plays in the first half, but none was as impressive as what wide receiver Jakeem Grant Sr. did.
With less than two minutes remaining in the second quarter, Grant received the punt at Chicago’s own three-yard line and returned it 97 yards for a touchdown, extending their lead to 24-14. The play caught the attention of everyone, including Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Bears: Jakeem Grant’s punt return touchdown catches the attention of Patrick Mahomes
This was officially the first punt return touchdown of the entire 2021 season, and it arrived n Week 14. But, this was not the only huge play by Grant on Sunday night.
Earlier in the second quarter, Grant lined up on a sweep play. As he ran behind the line of scrimmage, rookie quarterback Justin Fields flipped the ball to the wideout, and he ran his way through Green Bay’s defense for a 46-yard touchdown. That play gave the Bears a 10-0 lead.
Grant, a former 2016 sixth-round draft pick by the Miami Dolphins, was traded to the Bears back in October. Entering Week 14 Grant caught eight passes for 93 yards and a touchdown in eight games with Chicago. Additionally, Grant returned 20 kicks for 487 yards and 12 punts for 113 yards.
Simply put, Grant shined on the Week 14 of Sunday Night Football.