Could the Panthers and Bears Revisit the Trade Table? Why a Cole Kmet Deal Makes Sense for Carolina
The Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears already made headlines once with a blockbuster deal back in March 2023 - the one that sent wide receiver D.J. Moore and a package of picks to Chicago, giving Carolina the No. 1 overall selection in the 2023 draft. That pick, of course, became quarterback Bryce Young.
Fast forward to now, and both teams are coming off playoff appearances - Carolina bowed out in the Wild Card Round against the Rams, while Chicago made it one step further before falling to the same opponent in the Divisional Round. But as both squads look to take the next step in 2026, there’s buzz that they could be trade partners once again.
This time, the name to watch? Cole Kmet.
The Bears tight end could be on the move, and if he is, the Panthers are a logical landing spot. Carolina is a team on the rise - they just won the NFC South and have a young quarterback in Bryce Young who’s starting to find his rhythm. But if there’s one area where this offense could use a jolt, it’s at tight end.
Let’s be real: Carolina didn’t get much production from that spot this past season. Tommy Tremble led all Panthers tight ends with just 249 receiving yards. That’s not going to cut it if you’re trying to maximize Young’s development and push deeper into the postseason.
Enter Kmet, a reliable, athletic tight end who’s been a steady presence in Chicago since entering the league in 2020. He wrapped up this past season with 30 catches for 347 yards and two touchdowns - modest numbers, sure, but his track record speaks volumes.
Over his career, Kmet has posted 288 receptions, 2,939 yards, and 21 touchdowns. He’s just 26 years old and still very much in his prime.
The Bears, meanwhile, might be ready to move on. With promising young tight end Colston Loveland in the mix, Kmet could be deemed expendable - especially when you factor in the financial side.
Trading Kmet before March 15 would free up $8.4 million in cap space for Chicago, a team currently staring at a $9.6 million cap deficit. General manager Ryan Poles has some tough decisions ahead, and moving Kmet could be one of them.
From Carolina’s perspective, this isn’t just about adding another pass-catcher. It’s about building a more complete offense around their franchise quarterback.
They already have a stud wideout in Tetairoa McMillan, who turned in a stellar rookie campaign with 70 catches, 1,014 yards, and seven touchdowns. Pairing McMillan with a proven tight end like Kmet gives Young more options, especially in the middle of the field and red zone - areas where tight ends can be game-changers.
Young, for his part, took a solid step forward in Year 2, throwing for 3,011 yards and 23 touchdowns. The Panthers have already picked up his fifth-year option, signaling their long-term commitment. Now it’s about surrounding him with the right pieces.
Head coach Dave Canales is heading into his third season at the helm, and the foundation is clearly being laid. Adding a weapon like Kmet could be the kind of move that helps this offense go from good to dangerous.
We’ll see if the Bears and Panthers decide to do business again, but the fit is there - both in terms of need and opportunity. If Carolina wants to elevate its offense and continue building around Young, a call to Chicago might be worth making.