After the Chicago Bears drafted Sam Roush a year after drafting Colston Loveland it was clear that Cole Kmet was on borrowed time. While it made sense to keep the veteran for the start of the 2026 season there was a lot of speculation that Kmet could be dealt at some point this year. Looking at Chicago's defensive needs and the possible fits around the league capable of featuring Kmet. Obviously all of this changed when the tight end suffered a season-ending injury in Thursday night's win.
Kmet is lost for the season after Thursday's knee injury in what is the first serious loss of the 2026 season. While safety Coby Bryant was lost ahead of the year the safety is expected back this season and it served as a chance to install confidence in younger pieces. No question, losing Kmet was the biggest loss of the season so far and put Kmet's future with the franchise in question.
The tight end will enter the final year of his deal next season and has a base salary of $8.9 million while being a scheduled $15.4 million cap hit that Chicago could easily opt to part ways with. Looking at the forced development of the rookie tight end and the continued importance of Loveland within the offense it simply makes far too much sense to part ways with Kmet in the 2027 offseason.
Bears likely to part ways with Cole Kmet in upcoming offseason after season-ending injury
The Bears are very likely to finally trade Kmet in the upcoming offseason and opt to add a future pick or a needed defensive piece. The counter to this would be pointing out how vocal the tight end has been about loving Ben Johnson's system and being willing to embrace a lesser role. Kmet wants to do anything possible to impact winning and has made it clear he isn't going to take a selfish approach.
With this in mind, there is no question that Kmet's future could be put into question with a trade being the obvious decision. Kmet's outlook is the counter to this suggesting that it is very possible Kmet could take a different approach opting to take a pay cut to stay with a team that is going to be a contender for years to come.
It will be interesting to watch how the Bears opt to navigate a situation that has now been put on hold. Kmet's season is over and leaves Chicago with an obvious upcoming question in the 2027 offseason.
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