The Chicago Bears handled business against the Pittsburgh Steelers during a 31-28 win at Soldier Field on Sunday. Still, Week 12 didn't see many steps forward for an offense that badly needed it, and the defense gave up its third-highest point total of the season against Steelers backup quarterback Mason Rudolph.
Where to begin? The rushing attack had no running backs cross the 50-yard plateau. D'Andre Swift had 29 yards total as his star continues to fade. Blocking was absent between the guards for the Bears all day.
At least Caleb Williams was effective in the passing game. It was a balanced afternoon for the receiving corps, though there was one receiving threat who was absent: sixth-year tight end Cole Kmet, who, after catching five passes last week, went back to his typical one-catch-per-game standard this year.
On a day where both teams were shooting from the hip, Kmet finished with a single reception for three yards on his one target. Worse yet, first-round rookie TE Colston Loveland had a touchdown catch as one of his four receptions en route to 49 receiving yards. Loveland was always going to be the playmaker of the two. But Kmet being ineffective as a blocker is damning for someone who's not even halfway through the first half of his contract.
The worst part? It's unclear where to even go from with Kmet.
Cole Kmet's Trade Value Too Low For Bears to Capitalize
Kmet's trade value isn't very high right now, and barring a strong finish to the season, Chicago may have to eat his contract, whether soldiering it out until it's over or cutting him for nothing. While $22.893 million of his four-year, $32 million deal was fully guaranteed at signing, he's still owed several million dollars that no team would be inclined to take on, barring two scenarios:
The team taking Kmet on is given additional compensation from the Bears, or the other front office is convinced that Kmet's downturn isn't a sign that his career his over.
Again, there's plenty of time for Kmet to haul in a few well-timed touchdowns, especially if Chicago makes the playoffs, for this idea to dissipate. Of course, that'd be great for both parties, since the Bears would then be able to get what they want and trade away a poorly aging pact.
If that doesn't happen, though, Ryan Poles and Co. have a problem on their hands that could impede any other offseason improvements the team can make, not to mention an on-field problem with a TE2 who has been usurped by a rookie who should get all the reps possible.