Bears Facing Key Offseason Decision: Is It Time to Move On from Cole Kmet?
With the Super Bowl officially in the rearview, the NFL offseason is shifting into high gear-and in Chicago, that means tough decisions are on the horizon. One of the biggest?
What to do with tight end Cole Kmet. After a breakout rookie campaign from Colston Loveland, the writing may be on the wall for Kmet’s future with the Bears.
Let’s be clear: Kmet has been a reliable target over the years, but the emergence of Loveland has changed the equation. The rookie turned heads in 2025 with 713 receiving yards and six touchdowns, showcasing the kind of athleticism and route-running polish that you don’t often see from first-year tight ends. He’s not just a promising young player-he looks like a future cornerstone.
That puts the Bears in a position where they have to evaluate value, fit, and the financial picture. According to Spotrac, trading Kmet this offseason would free up $8.4 million in cap space. That’s not a small number for a team that’s trying to build around a young quarterback in Caleb Williams and potentially reshape its offensive identity.
Now, Kmet’s production has dipped over the past two seasons. His yardage totals have steadily declined, and the chemistry with Williams hasn’t quite clicked. That’s not an indictment of Kmet’s talent-he’s still a dependable pass catcher-but it’s a sign that his role in this evolving offense might not be what it once was.
The Bears’ offensive approach is also shifting. With Williams under center, a mobile QB who can extend plays with his legs, and a run game that’s starting to find its rhythm, there’s a growing argument for pairing Loveland with a second tight end who’s more of a blocking specialist. That kind of complement could help open up running lanes and give Williams more freedom to operate outside the pocket.
This isn’t just about cap space-it’s about roster construction. If the Bears do move on from Kmet (and possibly veteran wideout DJ Moore as well), they’d be looking at a revamped, youthful receiving corps built entirely on rookie contracts.
That’s the kind of setup that gives a front office flexibility. It opens the door to adding a high-impact playmaker in free agency or the draft, while keeping the core of the offense young and cost-controlled.
From a football standpoint, Loveland looks ready to take over as TE1. He’s already shown he can produce at a high level, and there’s no reason to think he won’t continue to grow in that role. Paying two tight ends starter money doesn’t make much sense when one of them is clearly ascending and still on a rookie deal.
And for Kmet, a trade might be the best outcome. He’s still just 27, with two years left on his contract, and could be a valuable addition for a team looking for a proven receiving threat at tight end. There’s a real opportunity for him to land in a spot where he can be a featured weapon again-something that’s no longer in the cards in Chicago.
The Bears are building something new, and sometimes that means making difficult calls on familiar faces. If they do decide to move on from Kmet, it won’t be about what he can’t do-it’ll be about what the team needs next. And right now, that’s cap space, roster flexibility, and a clear path forward for one of their most exciting young players.