CHICAGO () — The Chicago Bears will finish the season without tight end Cole Kmet, who sustained a right knee injury in the fourth quarter of Thursday night’s matchup with the New England Patriots.
The team has not released specific information about the injury or its severity.
Kmet was hurt late in the contest and was eventually taken from the field on a cart. His season-ending absence is a significant blow for a Bears offense that had begun to find its rhythm since quarterback Caleb Williams returned from a hamstring injury.
“It’s definitely a tough loss, and Bears fans are going to feel it,” fan Gustavo Baptista Defaria said at the Weather Mark Tavern in the South Loop. “He stepped up in a big way last year, too, making some really important catches for us.”
Bears head coach Ben Johnson also voiced his disappointment after learning the extent of Kmet’s injury.
“It stinks. It really does,” Johnson said. “I hate it for him, and I hate it for his teammates, too.”
Kmet, 27, is in his seventh season with Chicago and is the longest-serving player on the current roster. In franchise history, he ranks second among Bears tight ends in both receptions and receiving yards, trailing only Hall of Famer Mike Ditka.
A Chicago-area native who attended St. Viator High School, Kmet has also become one of the Bears’ most recognizable community figures. That deep local connection has helped make him a favorite among fans.
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Dave Archibald, Kmet’s former football coach at St. Viator, believes the veteran tight end will continue supporting his teammates while working through rehabilitation.
“He’ll be the best teammate he can be and continue to support everyone in his position group,” Archibald said. “He loves the city that loves him, and I have no doubt he’ll attack his rehab with everything he has.”
With Kmet out, the Bears are expected to rely more heavily on second-year tight end Colston Loveland and rookie Sam Roush.
Even after the setback, several Chicago fans said they trusted the team to adapt and keep moving forward.
“I have a lot of faith in Ben Johnson,” fan Vishal Shah said. “I’m sure he’ll develop a plan, and I’m sure the Bears have the right players ready to step in.”
“It’s a team sport,” fan Mendkhuu Enkhbayar said. “Hopefully everyone comes back, the team stays together and we can reach our goals.”
Kmet’s season-ending injury arrives at a critical moment for Chicago. The Bears are 5-2 and remain in pursuit of the Minnesota Vikings, who lead the NFC North with a 5-0 record.
