Despite the clear growth of fellow tight end Colston Loveland as a rookie last season, Cole Kmet remains a big part of the offense, despite the selection of Sam Roush in the 2026 draft. Especially now that he's a mid-career veteran. Head coach Ben Johnson likes to use two-tight-end sets and even three-tight-end sets. Not to mention that Roush is mostly meant as a Durham Smythe replacement, and Roush doesn't appear to have, at least at this point in his career, the talent of either Kmet or Loveland.
Still, the Bears do have needs, particularly on the defensive line. If Roush shows he can be more than just a tight end used in specific offensive sets, and/or on special teams, a talented mid-career veteran like Kmet could bring a haul, including, perhaps, a top-tier pass rusher. While it looks as though the former Notre Dame standout is safe in his spot in the Windy City, stranger things have happened during NFL offseasons, and a deal cannot be ruled out for any means.
Bears Drafting TEs in Consecutive Years Raises Cole Kmet Questions
Your author hopes Kmet stays, and not just because losing the veteran would take an offensive weapon away from quarterback Caleb Williams. Even if Roush becomes more of a weapon than anticipated, it's best to give Williams as many reliable targets as possible. Kmet is also a reliable blocker in both the passing and running games.
Kmet's career arc also makes for a cool story. He was raised in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights as a Bears fan -- and depending on how the future shakes out, he could be playing for the Bears in a new stadium in that same location. Kmet also played his college football nearby at Notre Dame -- not only is your author a Notre Dame Fighting Irish fan, but so are many Chicago Bears fans. Having Kmet play for the team he grew up rooting for, with home games currently being played a relatively short drive away from Arlington Heights at Chicago's Soldier Field, is pretty cool.
But it would be understandable if the Bears saw the emergence of the younger Loveland and potential growth of Roush into a number-two tight end and decided to deal Kmet to address other needs on the roster. Needs like edge rusher or linebacker.
It must be noted that Kmet is under contract through 2027, which complicates matters. If Kmet were staring down free agency after this season, it might make him more tradeable. Another team would see him as a possible rental to help with tight-end needs. But since Kmet isn't a UFA until 2028, any team that wanted him would have to consider his contract.
NFL trades are rare, and while a deal involving Cole Kmet seems unlikely, the Bears do have the depth in place to set one up, should the need arise. Other Bears draftees are meant to plug holes either immediately or for the 2027 campaign. Roush is here as a depth piece -- but if depth pieces overperform, that can make a veteran expendable to fill a need.
The Bears are likely better off, as of now, with Kmet remaining on the roster as part of a one-two tight-end punch with Loveland. But should things change -- and Roush develop beyond expectations, or the Bears find their other needs to be more pressing than expected -- Kmet would be a slightly easier trade target than others on the roster.
That said, a Bears roster with all three tight ends on it would probably have a better shot at success in 2026. Still, all options must be considered.
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