The Chicago Bears are riding high after a stellar 2025 season, clinching the NFC North and nabbing a playoff victory. It's a promising sign for the Caleb Williams era, but now the team faces some tough offseason decisions.
With cap space tighter than a two-minute drill, the Bears are contemplating parting ways with some veteran players, particularly on offense. Among the potential moves is a trade involving Cole Kmet, a $50 million receiving threat. Kristopher Knox from Bleacher Report suggests shipping Kmet to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a Day 3 draft pick.
The proposed trade would send Kmet to the Buccaneers in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick. This move could free up $8.4 million in cap space, giving the Bears some breathing room to address other critical needs.
Kmet has been a reliable contributor since his 2020 draft selection. However, as he approaches 27 in 2026, he's no longer the starting tight end.
That role now belongs to Colston Loveland, a top-10 draft pick who's taken the spotlight. Given Kmet's hefty $12.5 million annual contract, the Bears have little incentive to keep him around.
While a fifth-round pick might not seem like a blockbuster return, it's certainly better than releasing Kmet outright. From Tampa Bay's perspective, the trade may not be a slam dunk, as there are more affordable and younger tight ends on the market. But if Kmet, with his 2,939 career receiving yards, can fetch some value, it's a move that Ryan Poles should seriously consider.