Cole Kmet Trade Buzz Heating Up: 5 Teams That Could Come Calling
When the Chicago Bears used their top draft pick of the Ben Johnson era on tight end Colston Loveland, the ripple effects were immediate. Not just because Loveland is a dynamic young talent, but because of what it might mean for Cole Kmet - the team’s incumbent TE1 and a player whose role and contract are suddenly under the microscope.
Kmet’s future in Chicago has been a quiet subplot all season, but now, as the Bears head into a pivotal offseason, that storyline is moving to the forefront. Loveland’s emergence throughout his rookie campaign naturally shifted the tight end hierarchy, and while Kmet still brings value - especially in a two-tight end system that Johnson favors - the economics of the NFL are hard to ignore.
Kmet himself isn’t pretending otherwise. In a recent appearance on 104.3 The Score, he spoke candidly about the business side of the league.
“It’s definitely very real. I know it’s real because I’ve seen it happen before,” Kmet said. “As you age, you get more expensive and you may not fit in that piece of the puzzle... that’s just the nature of the business.”
That’s the voice of a veteran who understands how quickly things can change - especially when you're on a second contract and a younger, cheaper option is waiting in the wings. Kmet’s box score numbers may not jump off the page, but his value goes beyond stats. He’s a strong blocker, a reliable target, and a versatile piece in an offense that asks a lot of its tight ends.
Still, with the Bears looking to optimize their cap space and a handful of teams in need of tight end help, Kmet could become a trade chip this offseason. Here are five teams that make the most sense as potential suitors.
5. Kansas City Chiefs
If Travis Kelce decides to hang it up - and that’s still very much TBD - the Chiefs will need to find a replacement who can step in and contribute right away. Even if Kelce returns for one more run, Kansas City has to start thinking about life after No. 87.
Kmet, who turns 27 this offseason, fits the mold of a plug-and-play veteran. He’s not Kelce (who is?), but he’s a capable pass-catcher with experience in a variety of alignments. For a team in win-now mode, adding a tight end with Kmet’s skill set could be a smart move - especially if the price is right.
4. Baltimore Ravens
There’s a clear connection here: Declan Doyle, who coordinated the Bears' offense last season, is now calling plays in Baltimore. If he wants to bring some of that Chicago flavor to the Ravens, Kmet could be a natural fit.
Baltimore has long leaned on a two-tight end setup, but with Isaiah Likely hitting free agency and likely (pun intended) heading elsewhere for a bigger role, there’s a vacancy behind Mark Andrews. Kmet could fill that role - or even share it - while giving the Ravens another reliable target for Lamar Jackson.
The Doyle connection plus the potential departure of Likely makes Baltimore a team to watch.
3. New York Giants
Another coaching tie that could matter: Matt Nagy, Kmet’s first head coach in the NFL, is now the offensive coordinator for the Giants under John Harbaugh. Nagy knows Kmet well - and saw his breakout firsthand in 2021, when Kmet posted 60 catches for 612 yards.
The Giants already have an intriguing young tight end in Theo Johnson, but they could use another piece to solidify the position. Kmet’s blocking ability and experience would complement Johnson’s upside, and Harbaugh’s background in Baltimore suggests he values depth and versatility at tight end.
If the Giants are serious about giving Jaxson Dart the tools to succeed early, adding Kmet to the mix could be part of that plan.
2. Denver Broncos
Let’s be honest - Denver’s tight end room was a non-factor in 2025. Adam Trautman led the group with just 20 catches for 195 yards. That’s not going to cut it in today’s NFL, especially with a young quarterback like Bo Nix under center.
Enter Kmet, who brings more than just pass-catching ability. His alignment versatility is something Sean Payton would surely appreciate. According to Pro Football Focus, Kmet lined up in a variety of spots last season: 589 snaps as an in-line tight end, 130 in the slot, 103 out wide, 46 in the backfield, and even two snaps as a wildcat quarterback.
That’s the kind of flexibility that can open up a playbook. Even in a down year, Kmet would’ve been Denver’s most productive tight end by a mile. If the Broncos want to give Nix a better chance to succeed - and stay competitive in a loaded AFC - upgrading at tight end should be a priority.
1. Carolina Panthers
If the Panthers want to truly evaluate Bryce Young in Year 3, they need to surround him with more help. That starts at tight end, where Tommy Tremble led the group with just 249 receiving yards in 2025.
Kmet would be a significant upgrade and a reliable safety valve for a quarterback still trying to find his footing. He’s also a strong locker room presence - something that matters on a young, developing team.
There’s been chatter about a potential fifth-round pick being enough to land Kmet, but Bears GM Ryan Poles could try to squeeze a bit more out of Carolina GM Dan Morgan. The NFC South is wide open, and the Panthers are trying to stay on top of it. Adding Kmet could be a step toward solidifying their status.
Final Thoughts
Cole Kmet may not be a household name, but he’s a proven NFL tight end with plenty of value - especially in the right system. With Colston Loveland rising in Chicago and the Bears looking to reallocate resources, this offseason could be the perfect time to make a move.
Whether it’s Kansas City planning for life after Kelce, Baltimore retooling its tight end room, or Carolina trying to salvage its franchise quarterback, there are multiple teams that could see Kmet as more than just a trade target - they could see him as a missing piece.