The Chicago Bears won on Thursday night, but they lost one of their longest-serving players. Tight end Cole Kmet was carted off the field late in the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots, and on Friday the team confirmed he will miss the rest of the 2026 season. If you are wondering what happened to Cole Kmet, here is how he got hurt, what coach Ben Johnson said and how the Bears plan to replace him.
What happened to Cole Kmet
Kmet injured his right knee during the Bears’ 30-24 win over the Patriots at Soldier Field on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026. He caught a short pass from Caleb Williams along the Bears’ sideline and was hit by Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez and linebacker Robert Spillane, ESPN and CBS Chicago reported. He immediately grabbed his knee. Teammates gathered around him before he was carted to the locker room.
Accounts of the exact moment vary slightly. ESPN reported the play came with 5:46 left in the game on an 8-yard catch. CBS Chicago put it at 5:34 remaining, and the Chicago Sun-Times described a nine-yard catch.
The Bears ran tests Friday morning. After the testing, Johnson announced that Kmet will miss the rest of the season, and the team placed him on injured reserve, according to ESPN and Pro Football Talk.
The Bears have not publicly said exactly what the knee injury is, and they have not said whether Kmet needs surgery. ESPN described it as a “serious right knee injury.”
Timeline
- 2020: The Bears draft Kmet in the second round out of Notre Dame. He grew up in the Chicago area and played high school football at St. Viator in Arlington Heights, CBS Chicago reported.
- 2020–2026: He misses only one game across seven NFL seasons, according to ESPN and Pro Football Talk.
- 2026 season: Through seven games, he has 10 catches for 87 yards and one touchdown.
- Oct. 22, 2026: Kmet is hurt in the fourth quarter of the Bears’ 30-24 win over New England and is carted off.
- Oct. 23, 2026: After testing, Johnson says Kmet is out for the season, and the Bears place him on injured reserve.
Why it matters
Kmet’s receiving numbers this season are modest, but his value to the Bears goes beyond catches. Johnson said he “was consistently one of the highest-graded players on our offense, week in and week out,” according to the Sun-Times, which described him as the team’s most reliable blocking tight end. ESPN noted that his role shifted after Johnson took over in 2025 but that he remained a vital piece of the offense.
He is also a leader. CBS Chicago described him as the longest-tenured Bear. Johnson called him “one of the glue guys” and someone he relies on for “getting the pulse of the team.” “He’s going to be sorely missed,” Johnson said, in comments reported by ESPN, the Sun-Times and Pro Football Talk. “Really, he’s Chicago. He’s been here his whole life, and he’s a big part of our heartbeat. So it stinks. It does. I hate it for him. I hate it for his teammates, as well.”
Williams spoke about Kmet after the game. “I don’t have the words to describe what Cole is to me, what Cole is to this team, this organization,” the quarterback said, according to the Sun-Times. “I’ll be right there with him through every step of whatever the injury is.” CBS Chicago, citing CBS Sports, also reported that Williams said he would be there for Kmet throughout his recovery.
The timing is tough for a team playing well. The win over the Patriots improved Chicago to 5-2, NFL.com reported.
What’s next
The Bears say their offense will not change much. They use multiple tight ends on the same play more than most teams, and Johnson said every tight end has been trained to handle each job. “I don’t see us really changing who we are or what we do as a result of that,” he said, according to ESPN.
Colston Loveland, who has been Chicago’s other main tight end this season, is expected to take on a bigger role, along with rookie third-round pick Sam Roush, ESPN, CBS Chicago and the Sun-Times reported. Johnson said the team is “very pleased with the improvement” Roush has made, according to the Sun-Times. Practice-squad tight ends Stephen Carlson and Qadir Ismail are also options, according to ESPN and the Sun-Times.
“The train keeps rolling along,” Johnson said. “Someone else has to step up.”
For Kmet, the next steps have not been made public. The Bears have not shared a specific diagnosis, a surgery plan or a recovery timeline. Any update on his outlook for 2027 is likely to come from the team once more medical information is available.
FAQ
Is Cole Kmet out for the season?
Yes. Coach Ben Johnson confirmed on Oct. 23, 2026, that Kmet will miss the rest of the season, and the Bears placed him on injured reserve.
What injury did Cole Kmet suffer?
A right knee injury. The Bears have not publicly specified the exact diagnosis.
How did Cole Kmet get hurt?
He was hit by Patriots defenders Christian Gonzalez and Robert Spillane after catching a short pass late in the fourth quarter.
Who will replace Cole Kmet?
Colston Loveland and rookie Sam Roush are expected to see more snaps, with practice-squad players Stephen Carlson and Qadir Ismail also available.
How old is Cole Kmet?
He is 27.
Updated October 24, 2026