The Chicago Bears recorded a big win over the New England Patriots, 30-24, on Thursday Night Football. But Chicago also lost one of their unsung heroes in tight end Cole Kmet, who was carted off with a knee injury.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Kmet is believed to have suffered a serious, likely season-ending knee injury. Kmet is undergoing testing this morning, so there are no final results yet, but it doesn't come as a surprise after watching the injury as it unfolded on Thursday night.
Kmet suffered a knee injury midway through the fourth quarter after hauling in an 8-yard pass on the team's penultimate possession. Kmet was carted off the field but gave a thumbs up to the Soldier Field crowd as he was taken to the locker room.
After
the game, head coach Ben Johnson noted that they would know more Monday, but his initial reaction said it all: "I don’t think it looked very good."
Naturally, there were reactions by Bears fans to the report that Kmet's season could be over, and speculation that he might've played his last game with Chicago (as he has one year left on his deal after this season).
NFL world reacts to Bears TE Cole Kmet's possible season-ending knee injury
Cole has endured so many awful games and coaches in this town. To get hurt now is just the worst. Football is an unfair game. https://t.co/5qUVv7OSfy
— Kevin Wells (@Wells15Kevin) October 23, 2026
Heartbreaking, man. Invaluable glue guy, does everything. Endured the dark ages and gets hurt now. I'm absolutely sick about it https://t.co/5KzlP5dOhx
— StartKyleOrton (@startkyIeorton) October 23, 2026
We gonna win it for you Cole💔💔💔 https://t.co/2ZvGUVnPgS
— BearsShowYo (@BearsShowYo) October 23, 2026
When you call the Colts for DeForest Buckner, have them throw in Mo Alie-Cox. https://t.co/1muLfS5XF1
— Bill Zimmerman (@BillTZimmerman) October 23, 2026
NOOOOO!!!!!!! Prayers for Cole Kmet… https://t.co/puukOo9ny7
— Caleb Williams Fan Club (@CalebFC18) October 23, 2026
Likely could of been his last game as a Bear 💔 https://t.co/vcSLMLlGSa
— BearsEmpire (@BearsEmpire_) October 23, 2026
DAMMIT!!!
— King’s Ivory (@It_Me_Who_Dis) October 23, 2026
This one hurts. Cole isn’t just a TE2. He’s so much more. I feel like he also represents us as that fan that got to live his dream. Such an awesome guy and absolutely heartbreaking for him. Get well soon, Cole! https://t.co/n2Gjoq6ZEK
Farewell my beautiful 12 & 13 personnel sets 😭 https://t.co/2Zz7hSKHVw pic.twitter.com/GiAioDeBqQ
— 🍿Popcorn💪 (@Duke_Boi) October 23, 2026
Total bummer man…
— Dave Cratte (@dave_cratte99) October 23, 2026
Hoping for a healthy recovery! Keep your head up Cole. #DaBears https://t.co/5QsgoIErWp
Take my knee https://t.co/0q4A0RIolU
— CHICAGO BEARS (@BearsFanatic312) October 23, 2026
Fuckkkkkkkkkkkk man.
— Noskiii (@Noskiiii2120) October 23, 2026
Gotta feel for Cole especially considering he’s been relatively healthy his whole career. Never complains and by all accounts a great guy. One of the more valuable pieces for this offense too. Damn man https://t.co/V4kFIesOS5
This the one thing that sucked from last night.
— Kadin (Your Fav Queer Bears Fan 🐻⬇️) (@renn_kadin) October 23, 2026
Kmet is a true Bear through and through man and it sucks to lose him for the year, especially considering how often we use 2+ TE’s https://t.co/zX8PAvuck8
Kmet 💔
— Nathan (@Best4Business15) October 23, 2026
Devastated that this happened to a guy who has grown up a Bears fan and repped the team through many bad years. https://t.co/Iformu9sVP
That really sucks for Kmet
— Zach 🦃 (@DaBearsZach) October 23, 2026
Dude deserves to be on the field especially if we gonna do anything this yr https://t.co/FVInWCSHXU
If this is it man thank you for everything man you were so fun to watch during the Pre Caleb era forever love you demon https://t.co/BErlVmYE59
— Tyler | Parannoul Fan🦤 (@Mokney3) October 23, 2026
💔 possibly the end of his Bears career. Just a likeable dude and good player https://t.co/SmttfSdcfT
— Moncada's Agent (@KareemRon33) October 23, 2026
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Reaction: Bears TE Cole Kmet's possible season-ending knee injury
