Bears' Fixture Cole Kmet Hopes To Help His Team Create Stability

Forbes

2 days ago

Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) works out during practice at NFL football training camp, ... More Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Lake Forest, Ill. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Cole Kmet is only 26 but an old man when he's on the job at Halas Hall. He's in his sixth season with the Bears, which gives he and Jaylon Johnson seniority over everyone else on the roster.
Life comes at you fast in the NFL, and Kmet has learned this the hard way. He's playing for his fourth fifth head coach in seven years, counting his time under Brian Kelly at Notre Dame. He was drafted by Ryan Pace, who preceded Ryan Poles as the Chicago general manager, and has played for Bears teams compiling a 29-55 record.
The Bears gave Kmet a four-year, $50-million contract after the 2022 season, which was Poles' first season in charge. They selected tight end Colston Loveland in the first round of the '25 draft, which focused attention on how only one more season of Kmet's extension is guaranteed. It officially runs through 2027 but carries a dead-cap hit of only $3.2 million if he is released after '25.
Given the short life span of NFL players, Kmet wouldn't be the first who looked at such circumstances from a selfish perspective. But new Bears coach Ben Johnson says Kmet has been a pleasure to get to know.
Johnson praises Kmet's 'positive energy' as he looks for ways to help quarterback Caleb Williams and others while learning yet another new offense.
'You could tell instantly when he was around the other offensive players, the rest of the team, there's an instant respect level,' Johnson told reporters at Halas Hall before training camp. 'He's done things the right way for a long time, and so it's been great, not just him learning the offense, but helping others in the process as well.'
Kmet called Johnson and his staff 'relentless on the details' during mini-camps and OTAs. '(I'm) not saying other coaches weren't detailed, but it's like an obsession with … him,' he told beat reporters.
Kmet could seem like something of a forgotten man when pre-season games roll around in August. The focus will be on Loveland, who was one of Michigan's top weapons on the 2023 national championship team, as well as a suddenly deep stable of wide receivers. DJ Moore will be pushed by 2024 first-round pick Rome Odunze and '25 second-rounder Luther Burden III to see who emerges as the top target in Johnson's offense.
Loveland has been limited after the shoulder surgery he underwent in January but should be able to cut it loose in time for the exhibition schedule, if not a pair of joint practices. Johnson was known for using multiple tight ends while serving as Detroit's offensive coordinator, so it should be fun to see the plays he draws up for both tight ends.
Kmet, who is considered a solid blocker, had a career-high 73 catches in 2023. That was only 23 fewer than Moore as the Bears often looked for Justin Fields to run the ball.
While Kmet caught 10 passes from Williams against Indianapolis in Week 3, that combination only occasionally clicked during the 5-12 season. Kmet finished with 47 catches for 474 yards, including six games when he was either shut out or had just one catch.
Yet he maintains a fair amount of respect around the league. Pro Football Focus ranks him 29th among NFL tight ends entering this season, six spots believe Loveland. It graded him out 42nd best last season, his lowest ranking since he was a rookie. He was ranked 11th after the productive '23 season.
Kmet was a year away from free agency when Poles rewarded him with his extension. He carries a full salary cap hit of $11.6 million each of the next three seasons but looks like a candidate for a possible restructuring.
Based on early impressions, he's going to do everything he can to avoid being deemed expendable. While he's not really an old dog, don't be surprised if he finds some new tricks working with Johnson and Loveland.