CHICAGO — Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet is done for the season.
Coach Ben Johnson confirmed on Friday that Kmet will miss the remainder of the 2026 season with a “serious” knee injury he suffered Thursday night.
“He’s everything we want to be about here,” Johnson said of Kmet. “He’s going to be sorely missed. He’s Chicago. He’s been here his whole life. He’s a big part of our heartbeat. It stinks. It does. I hate it for him.”
Kmet, 27, exited Thursday night’s 30-24 win over the New England Patriots with a right knee injury in the fourth quarter. He couldn’t put any weight on his right leg and was carted off the field.
Kmet, a Lake Barrington, Ill., native, is the longest-tenured Bear. His season stat line — 10 catches, 87 yards and one touchdown — doesn’t really tell the full story of what he means to Johnson’s offense.
Since Johnson became the coach last year, Kmet hasn’t put up eye-popping numbers as a pass catcher, but he’s been a key blocker in an offense that relies heavily on the tight ends who can do both.
“He’s one of my favorites for a number of reasons,” Johnson said. “I still remember him at the combine coming out (in 2020) and how much I loved him in that slight interaction there.”
Kmet has played 62.2% of offensive snaps for the Bears this season, behind only Colston Loveland (85.6%) among Bears tight ends.
Kmet’s long been a key voice in the locker room. He’s been through all the ups and downs of the last seven years — from the demise of the Matt Nagy era, to a 3-14 season in 2022, to an NFC North division title under Johnson in 2025.
“I don’t have the words to describe what Cole is to me, what Cole is to this team, this organization,” quarterback Caleb Williams said Thursday. “He’s the longest-tenured Bear, I believe. And so, he’s been through it. And it’s challenging. He’s tough.
“And I’ll be with him. I’ll be right there with him through every step of whatever the injury is. Cole’s been there for me every step of the way. Through the first year, the second year and now through this year. So, I can only do the same for him.”
Kmet caught a pass from Williams on a second-and-9 midway through the fourth quarter and collided with two Patriots defenders near the sideline. Kmet, who has missed only one game in his NFL career, remained down after the play.
Teammates wished Kmet well as he was carted off, and even an ex-teammate in Patriots safety Kevin Byard III patted him on the back before he left the field. Kmet gave the crowd a thumbs up as the cart drove toward the Soldier Field tunnel.
Kmet’s injury will put more of the spotlight on Loveland and rookie tight end Sam Roush. Roush, a third-round draft pick, got off to a bit of a rough start with just three catches for 33 yards through the first seven games, to go along with three penalties.
But Johnson is confident that Roush can step up in Kmet’s absence.
“We had high hopes when we took him, very smart player,” Johnson said of Roush. “He had some rookie hiccups early in the season like everybody does, and yet he learns. He doesn’t make the same mistake twice. I’m confident in what he’s able to do for us back half of the season.”
The Bears also have tight ends Stephen Carlson and Qadir Ismail on the practice squad. Rookie Hayden Large is on injured reserve, but could eventually be another option.