Bears’ Cole Kmet Responds to Sister’s Relationship with Packers Player Before Playoff Showdown

As the Green Bay Packers prepare to take on the Chicago Bears in the Wild Card round of the NFL Playoffs, Bears tight end Cole Kmet is uncertain about who his sister will be rooting for.

This ambiguity arises because Frankie Kmet is currently dating Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness.

“I’m not sure; I don’t speak with her during Packer week, so I’ll find out after the game,” Cole, 26, remarked to reporters on Wednesday, January 7, when inquired about his sister’s allegiance. “Just kidding! Well, she did ask for tickets, and I did send her the tickets, so I didn’t really respond to anything else.”

“They wanted better seats; that’s why,” he continued. “I had to help my sister out. Jokes aside, I usually find that out post-game. She’s just happy to see us both healthy and all that.”

Frankie and Van Ness, 24, began their relationship in 2022 while attending the University of Iowa. Van Ness received All-Big Ten honors playing for the Hawkeyes before being selected 13th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.

The couple marked their one-year anniversary in 2023, with Van Ness sharing a collection of moments together on Instagram.

“My partner in crime. My best friend,” he wrote in the post. “Can’t believe we’ve spent 365 days together. Excited for many more. I love you, Frankie ❤️ Happy 1 year.”

This season, the Packers and Bears each secured a home victory, resulting in a split for their two matchups. Green Bay heads into the game at Soldier Field in Chicago having suffered four consecutive losses, including one to the Bears on December 20.

Since their last Super Bowl win in 1985, the Bears have struggled, with their most recent appearance in the Big Game occurring in the 2006 season when they lost to the Indianapolis Colts. With other major professional teams in Chicago facing their struggles, Cole expressed hope for a turnaround.

“I feel like that’s the sentiment with Chicago sports in general. It’s a vibe I’ve felt with the Cubs, and lately, it’s been that way for the Bulls as well,” he shared. “Chicago has a rich historical foundation, which is fantastic, making it a unique place. However, we aspire to create our own legacy here, and we have an opportunity to do that on Saturday.”

Bears coach Ben Johnson is also keen on seizing the opportunity. After his team’s loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday, January 4, he expressed to the media his focus on a potential championship run.

“We need to go on a four-game winning streak, something we’ve accomplished twice before,” he stated. “We’re mentally prepared for five more weeks of play. That’s our aim. The first step is to win the opening game.”

This sentiment aligned perfectly with Cole’s expectations. In a piece featured in The Athletic on Wednesday, he expressed his hopes for the first-year coach to elevate the team’s standards.

“That’s just who Ben is,” he shared. “He knows how to uplift our locker room environment. But at the same time, he keeps things real.”