For all of the hype around Chicago Bears rookie first-round pick and tight end Colston Loveland, former second-round pick Cole Kmet is primed to have a better season in 2025 than he had in 2024. Just what that means exactly remains unclear, though.
That uncertainty comes ahead of a potentially pivotal season for Kmet, whom the Bears selected with the No. 43 overall pick in 2020.
Bears Could Get Bounceback Season From Cole Kmet
Cole Kmet’s Future With Bears a Key Question Ahead of Training Camp
Kmet stands to benefit, at least early on in training camp and, perhaps, into the season, by the fact that Loveland was unable to partake in any on-field team drills during the Bears’ offseason program.
The veteran had 47 receptions for 474 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2024. It was a step back from his 73-719-6 line in 2023.
He is also in Year 2 of a four-year, $50 million contract extension signed in 2023.
However, the Bears can get out from under the final two seasons of that deal in 2026, waiving Kmet with a post-June 1 designation. That would give them $10 million in savings to $1.6 million in dead money.
Kmet, one of the first to be on the receiving end of new head coach Ben Johnson’s fiery side in front of the media during the offseason program, also noted the staff’s attention to detail.
With Johnson expected to lean on two-tight end sets, Kmet could bounce back for the Bears.
Loveland has drawn comparisons to Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta, even by Johnson, who coached the latter as offensive coordinator for the player’s first two seasons. But it could be Kmet that reaps the benefits of Johnson’s arrival, at least in Year 1.
Cole Kmet a Leader in Bears Locker Room
Kmet’s status in the Bears’ locker room is critical in the equation. He and cornerback Jaylon Johnson are the longest-tenured players on the roster. Both players have also been beacons of honesty during the franchise’s most trying times over their tenure. Kmet also has a strong bond with Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, who has referred to the tight end and his wife, Emily, as “the [pa]rents.”
Kmet admitted that he was initially taken aback by the Bears’ decision to draft Loveland. However, he also cited Johnson’s directness and said he wants to help Loveland however possible.
Loveland said early on that he was eager to learn from the veteran.
The early going could see a lot of that. Loveland projects as a satellite tight end, and Kmet is better-suited for inline duties. That role, or at least something similar, yielded 13 receptions for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns for Lions’ tight end Brock Wright in 2024.
Kmet is a better player than Wright, with the production to prove it. It is reasonable to expect he will have a sizeable role in the passing game early on. He should be able to maintain a decent one moving forward, so long as he stays with the team.