The Chicago Bears are already looking for ways to absorb the loss of Cole Kmet, and Ben Johnson didn’t rule out a heavier dose of size in the run game to help make up for it.
Kmet’s late-game knee injury in the Bears’ Week 7 win over the New England Patriots has now been confirmed as a season-ending setback. That hits Chicago in a real way, even if Kmet and Colston Loveland don’t always fill up the box score together. Johnson has leaned on two- and three-tight-end looks more than most coaches, both in how often he uses them and where he lines them up, and Kmet’s versatility is a big part of that.
The depth chart behind Loveland is thin. Rookie Sam Roush will move up a spot, while Stephen Carlson and Qadir Ismail are on the practice squad. Undrafted rookie Hayden Large has been on injured reserve all season.
Speaking during a virtual press conference Friday, Johnson was asked how Kmet’s absence changes the playbook. His answer pointed to continuity more than a full redesign, with the staff believing the remaining tight ends can handle “all the jobs.” Still, he floated one possible wrinkle.
"I think one solution could be, if Ozzy (Trapilo) continues to trend up, then maybe we could do more jumbo, too,” Johnson said. “It’s not something we've really had to lean into, but there’s a lot of solutions out there to make sure we can still run the ball, pass protect...”
Trapilo’s return from the ruptured patellar tendon he suffered in last year’s playoffs has come quickly. He’s been active for the last two games, logging 35 snaps at left tackle and one snap in what charting outlets would classify as an in-line tight end role.
When he’s fully ready for starter-level work, Trapilo is expected to take over at left tackle full time. For now, though, he could function as a sixth offensive lineman in those jumbo looks. If he’s technically the left tackle in those packages, Theo Benedet would remain the extra lineman on the field.
Johnson and his staff have options. More 11 personnel could be part of the answer.
Two-back looks could show up more often, too. And a six-lineman package is clearly on the table, with even a trick play involving that extra blocker not out of the question.
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