Bears’ Cole Kmet Could Be Done For Year

The 27-year-old Kmet exited on a cart in the fourth quarter in Week 7 after catching a season-high three passes. Although Kmet has put up modest numbers (10 receptions, 87 yards and a touchdown), he has continued to play a significant role in the Bears’ offense this year. Among Bears pass catchers, he trails only tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Rome Odunze in offensive snap share (62.19%).

Kmet, an Illinois native whom the Bears took in the second round of the 2020 draft, caught between 47 and 73 passes in each season from 2021-24. The Bears gave the Notre Dame product a four-year, $50MM extension in 2023, but his receiving production has gone downhill since they drafted Loveland 10th overall in 2025.

After Kmet finished with 30 grabs, 347 yards and two scores in 16 games last year, he came up as a potential cap casualty during the offseason. The Bears ultimately kept him around on a restructured contract that reduced his 2026 cap hit by $3.8MM. It also raised Kmet’s cap charge by $3.8MM for 2027, the last season of his deal. Releasing or trading Kmet next year would save the Bears $10MM at the cost of $5.43MM in dead money.

If this injury does indeed end Kmet’s season, he may have played his last down with Chicago. In his absence, the Bears could rely more on rookie third-rounder Sam Roush behind Loveland. Roush has posted a 21.55% offensive snap share and caught three of five targets for 33 yards this year. Loveland and Roush are the only healthy tight ends on the Bears’ roster, but they also have practice squad options in Stephen Carlson and Qadir Ismail.