Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet faces a season-ending absence following a right-knee injury sustained in the final quarter of a 30-24 victory against the New England Patriots, according to NFL Network reporting. Kmet caught an 8-yard pass before being tackled low by a defender, remained on the turf holding his leg, and was carted off the field.
Kmet Expected to Miss Remainder of Year
Kmet finished the contest with three receptions for 28 yards, adding to a quiet season stat line of 10 catches for 87 yards and one touchdown across seven appearances. Following the final whistle, Bears head coach Ben Johnson acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating that the initial outlook appeared bleak. Medical staff scheduled further examinations for Friday to confirm the extent of the damage.
NFL Network reported Friday that the injury is expected to sideline the tight end for the remainder of the year. The loss removes a key component from the Chicago offense as the team prepares for the middle stretch of the schedule.
Contract Status and Career Production in Chicago
Selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame, Kmet has developed into a durable presence for the franchise. Over six seasons, the 27-year-old has appeared in 107 games with 94 starts, compiling 298 receptions for 3,026 yards and 22 touchdowns.
Kmet signed a four-year, $50 million contract extension in July 2023, which leaves one season remaining on his current deal heading into next summer. His snap count had decreased in 2024 compared to previous years, featuring in just three starts among his seven games played, but his blocking and short-yardage reliability remained central to Johnson’s offensive scheme.
Bears Must Alter Personnel Groupings Without Kmet
Losing Kmet forces the Bears coaching staff to alter personnel groupings in both passing situations and running-game blocking schemes. Johnson must now distribute snaps among remaining tight end options on the roster to fill the void left by the veteran starter.
The injury also introduces roster questions for the upcoming offseason. With Kmet’s contract set to expire after the final year of his extension, Chicago’s front office faces evaluation decisions regarding the tight end position for future roster builds.
More on Cole Kmet
#Bears TE Cole Kmet, who was carted off in last night's win over the #Patriots, is believed to have suffered a serious, likely season-ending knee injury, sources say.Kmet is undergoing testing this morning, and until those results come back, there is no finality. pic.twitter.com/KaC9OvvTdn
The #Bears have ruled out TE Cole Kmet with a knee injury.
Worth a look
