The Chicago Bears are bracing for the loss of their longest-tenured offensive player.
Tight end Cole Kmet suffered what looked to be a potentially serious knee injury midway through the fourth quarter on the last of his three receptions in Thursday night's 30-24 defeat of the New England Patriots. As he neared the sideline and tried to turn upfield, he absorbed significant contact from two New England defenders, though it's possible Kmet's knee was already buckling before the hits were delivered.
All-Pro Patriots safety Kevin Byard, who played for the Bears in 2024 and 2025, came over to check on Kmet while he as loaded onto the cart. Kmet gave an appreciative Soldier Field crowd an enthusiastic thumbs up as he was transported into the tunnel.
“We will know more (Friday), but I don’t think it looked very good," Bears coach Ben Johnson said after the game.
Cole Kmet has to be carted off the field.#NFL pic.twitter.com/74LjiIw7bs
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) October 23, 2026
What did Caleb Williams say about Cole Kmet?
Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams was clearly affected by the injury to Kmet and vowed to pay back a player who has helped the 2024 No. 1 overall pick through his own NFL trials and tribulations.
“It was tough,” Williams said when asked about Kmet's misfortune Thursday. “I don’t know exactly what it is, but getting carted off is never good. You're at least going to miss some time.
"I don’t have the words to describe what Cole is to me, to this team, to this organization. He's the longest-tenured Bear (on offense), I believe. He's been through it and it's challenging. It's tough. 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, through the second year, and now through this year. I could only do the same for him."
Bears tight end depth chart
Kmet and second-year man Colston Loveland are listed as co-starters by the team, which has some other options on the deeper roster but might also be compelled to add a veteran if Kmet winds up missing significant time.
▶ TE1 Cole Kmet
▶ TE1 Colston Loveland
▶ TE2 Sam Roush
▶ TE3 Stephen Carlson (practice squad)
▶ TE3 Qadir Ismail (practice squad)
Who is Cole Kmet?
A second-round pick of Notre Dame in 2020, Kmet has spent his entire NFL career with the Bears. As of now, he's only missed one game in his career while compiling 298 career catches for 3,026 yards and 22 TDs. He's currently in the third season of a four-year, $50 million contract.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bears bracing for loss of TE Cole Kmet, their senior offensive player, to knee injury
