When people talk about Cole Kmet, they usually start with that touchdown-the one that sent the Bears to overtime against the Rams. It was a fourth-and-four, the kind of moment where legends are made or drives die.
Caleb Williams, under pressure and backpedaling, launched a prayer toward the left corner of the end zone. Kmet tracked it, boxed out Rams corner Cobie Durant like a power forward in the paint, and created just enough space to haul in the game-tying score.
It was classic Kmet-physical, savvy, clutch. And while that touchdown capped off his most meaningful celebration of the season, it wasn’t enough to seal the win.
Williams threw his third interception of the game in overtime, and the Rams capitalized with a walk-off field goal. Game over.
Season over.
Kmet knew what that meant.
“This is a week-to-week, year-to-year league,” he said in the locker room afterward. “The locker room’s going to look different next year. That’s just how the NFL works.”
He’s right. Coaches move on.
Contracts expire. Rosters churn.
But if the Bears are serious about building something sustainable in 2026, Cole Kmet should absolutely remain part of the foundation.
Let’s take a closer look at why.
The Numbers Don’t Tell the Whole Story
Statistically, 2025 wasn’t Kmet’s flashiest season. He finished with just 30 receptions for 347 yards and two touchdowns-his lowest output since his rookie year, aside from receptions. But numbers alone don’t capture his value in Ben Johnson’s offense.
Kmet logged 768 offensive snaps in the regular season, trailing only Caleb Williams, the offensive line, and DJ Moore. He was asked to do a little bit of everything-block, protect, chip, release, and yes, occasionally be a safety valve for a rookie quarterback still learning the ropes.
In total, Kmet played 874 snaps and blocked on 456 of them. That’s over half his workload dedicated to the dirty work-something that doesn’t show up on highlight reels but matters just as much. Pro Football Focus gave him a 62.2 grade as a run blocker and a 71.7 grade in pass protection, the latter coming on a career-high 80 pass-blocking snaps.
Translation: Kmet was a critical cog in the machine, even if he wasn’t filling up the stat sheet.
The Scheme Says It All
Ben Johnson’s offense leaned heavily on two-tight-end sets, running them 32.6% of the time-sixth-most in the league. That’s not a coincidence.
It’s a strategic choice that requires tight ends who can do it all. Kmet fits that mold.
He’s not just a pass-catcher or a blocker-he’s both, and that versatility is rare.
With rookie Colston Loveland emerging as a dynamic receiving threat, it might be tempting to view Kmet as expendable. But that would ignore how often this offense relies on tight ends working in tandem.
Loveland is a matchup nightmare, no doubt. But Kmet complements him with experience, physicality, and a deep understanding of the system.
And let’s not forget: this was Year 1 under Johnson. With a full offseason and continuity at quarterback, the offense should take a step forward in 2026. That includes Kmet, whose production could easily bounce back as the unit gains rhythm and consistency.
The Cap Crunch Dilemma
Here’s where things get tricky. The Bears are currently projected to be $12.7 million over the salary cap.
Cutting Kmet before June 1 would save $8.4 million, with just $3.2 million in dead money, per OverTheCap. Financially, that’s tempting.
But this isn’t just a numbers game. It’s about what you’d be losing.
Kmet still has two years left on his deal, but none of it is guaranteed. That makes him a potential cap casualty-but also a bargain, considering his role.
Replacing him wouldn’t be easy. You’d need to find another tight end who can handle heavy snaps, block at a high level, and still be a reliable target when needed.
That’s not a plug-and-play position.
And if you’re trying to support a young quarterback like Caleb Williams, continuity and chemistry matter. Kmet brings both.
A Leader in the Locker Room
Beyond the X’s and O’s, Kmet is one of the longest-tenured Bears on the roster, alongside Jaylon Johnson. He’s been through the rebuilds, the coaching changes, the quarterback carousel. He knows what it’s like to grind through losing seasons and still show up every Sunday ready to work.
That kind of presence matters-especially on a team that’s finally positioning itself to compete for NFC North titles and make real playoff noise.
Kmet may not be the flashiest name in the huddle, but he’s the kind of player winning teams keep around. He does the little things.
He shows up in big moments. And he’s earned the trust of his coaches and teammates.
So while the Bears will have tough decisions to make this offseason, keeping Cole Kmet shouldn’t be one of them. He’s not just part of the offense-he’s part of the identity.