Could Cole Kmet Be the Missing Piece for Bryce Young and the Panthers?
The Carolina Panthers are heading into a pivotal offseason, and all signs point to one clear priority: giving Bryce Young the tools he needs to succeed. After a rocky start to his rookie campaign, Young showed real growth in the back half of 2025-enough for Carolina to pick up his fifth-year option and double down on his development. While the front office hasn’t fully declared him the franchise quarterback just yet, the investment speaks volumes.
Now, it’s about building around him.
The Panthers' receiving corps is still a work in progress. Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker have flashed potential, but beyond that, the cupboard’s a little bare when it comes to reliable, proven targets. That’s why Carolina is expected to be active this offseason-whether through the draft, free agency, or the trade market-to find another pass-catcher who can help elevate Young’s game.
One name that’s starting to surface? Cole Kmet.
The 26-year-old tight end has been a steady presence in Chicago for the past few seasons, but his role has taken a backseat since the Bears drafted Colston Loveland last April. With Loveland now clearly the future at the position, Kmet’s time in Chicago could be winding down.
His 2025 numbers-30 catches for 347 yards and two touchdowns-don’t jump off the page, but they also don’t tell the whole story. Just two seasons ago, Kmet was a focal point of the Bears’ offense, hauling in 73 receptions for 719 yards and six scores.
That kind of production doesn’t just disappear overnight. He’s still a capable, pass-catching tight end with a strong frame, reliable hands, and red zone upside.
And crucially, he’s under contract for two more seasons with manageable $11.6 million cap hits in both 2026 and 2027. That’s not a bargain-bin deal, but it’s far from prohibitive-especially for a team like Carolina that’s looking to invest in its young quarterback.
The Panthers have taken swings at the tight end position in recent drafts, selecting Ja’Tavion Sanders and Mitchell Evans. But Sanders has struggled to stay on the field, and Evans hasn’t had much of a chance to show what he can do. If Carolina wants to stabilize the position with a proven veteran, Kmet could be an ideal fit.
He’s not going to cost a first-round pick, especially with several other tight ends-Kyle Pitts, Dallas Goedert, Isaiah Likely, and David Njoku-set to hit the open market. But that also means the Panthers might be able to get him at a reasonable price. For a team that’s trying to speed up Bryce Young’s development curve, that’s exactly the kind of move that makes sense.
If Carolina pulls the trigger, it wouldn’t just be about adding a tight end-it would be about giving their young quarterback a safety valve, a red zone threat, and a player who’s been through the grind of multiple NFL seasons. Kmet may not be the flashiest name out there, but he could be exactly what the Panthers need to take the next step on offense.