The Bears have hoped rookie tight end Cole Kmet would develop into a full-time starter before the end of the season, and he appears to have convinced them he’s ready.
Coming out of their bye week, the Bears played Kmet a season-high 79% of the offensive snaps in their 41-25 loss to the Packers. It was the second week in a row he played more than veteran Jimmy Graham.
While Kmet’s playing time has spiked recently — he got between 24%-35% of the snaps over the first seven games, then went to 43%, 47%, 70% and now 79% — he hasn’t given them much production as a receiver yet. Mitch Trubisky targeted him just three times against the Packers, and Kmet had one catch for eight yards.
For the season, Kmet has eight catches for 94 yards and a touchdown on 14 targets. Graham has been targeted 61 times and turned in 38 catches, 334 yards and five touchdowns.
Veteran tight end Demetrius Harris has been the one most impacted by Kmet’s increase in snaps. He has played just 15 snaps over the last four games.
Patterson phased out
There was so much potential when the Bears signed dynamic, multi-talented veteran Cordarrelle Patterson in 2019, but coach Matt Nagy still hasn’t found a way to use him consistently. He’s been excellent on special teams, but it just hasn’t clicked on offense regardless of whether he’s at wide receiver or running back.
Patterson played a season-low 13.2% of the snaps (nine total) in the loss to Green Bay. He got two carries for eight yards and was not targeted as a receiver.
David Montgomery played his second-largest share of the snaps this season at 85%.
Wide receiver notes
— Allen Robinson played 94% of the snaps, the fourth time this season he’s been over 90
— Darnell Mooney got more snaps (85%) and targets (nine) than Anthony Miller (69%, six). For the season, Mooney has played 72% of the snaps, compared to 58% for Miller.
— With Javon Wims a healthy scratch, Riley Ridley played 16% of the snaps against the Packers. He was at 19% each of the previous two games.
Makeshift defensive line
The Bears were missing defensive linemen Akiem Hicks (hamstring), Roy Robertson-Harris (season-ending shoulder surgery) and Eddie Goldman (coronavirus opt-out) for the Packers game. Here’s how they divvyed up the snaps among those still standing:
Bilal Nichols, 72%
Brent Urban, 55%
John Jenkins, 49%
Lance McCullers, 38%
Mario Edwards, 34%
Defensive notes
— Khalil Mack played 89% of the snaps against the Packers, his third-highest share of playing time this season. He had three tackles.
— Robert Quinn played 66% of the snaps, his second-highest share this season. He had four tackles.
— Danny Trevathan played 68% of the snaps, his lowest since Week 2 against the Giants.
— Roquan Smith, Eddie Jackson, Kyle Fuller and Jaylon Johnson played all 71 defensive snaps.
