The Chicago Bears beat the New England Patriots on Thursday Night Football, but they lost starting tight end Cole Kmet for the rest of the season after a knee injury. He has officially been placed on injured reserve.
Coach Ben Johnson just said that Cole Kmet is headed to IR today due to his serious knee injury. It is season-ending, with Johnson saying, "He's a big part of our heartbeat. It stinks. I hate it." https://t.co/J2jjKzlBDq
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 23, 2026
Kmet has been with the Bears since they drafted him in the second round back in 2020, making him one of their longest-tenured players currently on the roster. Since Chicago drafted tight end Colston Loveland in the first round in 2025, Kmet has primarily served as a blocking tight end. Still, he had a touchdown in the season
opener against the Carolina Panthers.
He played on 62 percent of Chicago's offensive snaps in the first seven games of the season and is one of the most accomplished tight ends in Bears history, with the second-most receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns among tight ends in franchise history. Mike Ditka, who was being honored during the Bears’ game against the Patriots, is first in all of those categories.
Before this season, rumors suggested the Bears might move on from Kmet after this year. Releasing or trading Kmet would save close to $5.5 million with a June 1 designation. His snaps have been decreasing since Ben Johnson became Chicago’s head coach. This would also be the first season Kmet missed more than one game.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Bears lose starting TE after season-ending knee injury vs. Patriots
