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No Trade Needed? Bears Believe They Have Tight End Solution Already in House
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- No Trade Needed? Bears Believe They Have Tight End Solution Already in House
The Chicago Bears lost a key component of their offense when Cole Kmet went down with an injury . He and Colston Loveland had formed a strong duo in the team's 12-personnel packages. Now, with Kmet out for the season, speculation has already begun about which tight ends the Bears could target in a trade to fill the void. However, Chicago appears confident that it already has a solution in-house.
Head coach Ben Johnson addressed Kmet's loss while taking the opportunity to highlight rookie tight end Sam Roush . The Bears' draft pick has seen limited action through the first seven weeks, but his role is now expected to increase.
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"We've been very pleased with the improvement that [Sam Roush] has made over these first seven weeks, and so there's a high likelihood that his rep count is going to go up as a result of what's going on here. We'll be able to see the player that we drafted. We had high hopes when we took him. Very smart player. He had some rookie hiccups early in the season like everybody does, and yet he learns. He doesn't make the same mistake twice, and I'm confident in what he's going to be able to do for us here the back half of the season," Johnson said.
No Rush for Roush
Aug 15, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Sam Roush (87) runs the ball against the Cleveland Browns during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
The former Stanford Cardinal has primarily contributed in 13-personnel packages and as a blocker. Through seven weeks, he has performed effectively across his 114 offensive snaps . However, he has run just 29 routes this season. Despite his limited opportunities as a pass catcher, Roush has shown some promise when the ball comes his way.
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According to NFL Pro tracking, Roush has recorded three receptions on five targets for 26 yards this season . He also boasts a +3.1 receiving EPA and averages 6.7 yards of separation per target . Although the sample size remains small, those numbers offer encouraging signs as Roush prepares for a larger role. He should also have more opportunities to contribute as a blocker.
According to PFF, Roush has held his own in both pass protection and the running game . He currently owns a 69.5 pass-blocking grade across 15 pass-blocking snaps, putting him above the NFL average. His run blocking has also graded above average, with a 67.8 mark across a much larger sample of 70 run-blocking snaps.
Oct 4, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; New York Jets cornerback Azareye'h Thomas (1) trips up Chicago Bears tight end Sam Roush (87) during the third quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
Like most rookies, Roush still has room to develop as he adjusts to the NFL. However, Johnson's comments and the production Roush has delivered in limited opportunities help explain why the Bears feel comfortable giving him a bigger role.
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Chicago could still explore the trade market before the deadline, but Roush's increased involvement gives the team an opportunity to evaluate its in-house options before pursuing outside help. If the rookie can build on his early progress, the Bears may not need to make a move to address Kmet's absence.
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This story was originally published by Athlon on Oct 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
