The Chicago Bears found a true star at the tight end position. Their decision to take Colston Loveland over Tyler Warren was controversial at the time, but the rookie out of Michigan closed out the season on an absolute heater to prove it was the right call.
That, of course, has now raised questions about whether they should keep Cole Kmet in town. The veteran is coming off a down season, one in which he never truly broke out, and the Bears could use the salary cap relief that would come with cutting ties.
Cole Kmet Must Be at His Best in Training Camp
Kmet finished the season with 30 receptions for 347 yards and two touchdowns. He also had three grabs for 31 yards and one score in the playoffs. Those numbers aren't that impressive, especially when compared to Loveland's 58 receptions for 714 yards and six touchdowns.
Of course, Kmet is a respected and beloved veteran, and the fact that the team held onto him past last season's trade deadline hints at a desire to keep him. Also, Ben Johnson runs 12 personnel at a high clip, so he shouldn't be in the business of giving away tight ends.
That said, there are some major financial implications that would come with this decision. According to Over The Cap, the Bears only have $219K in available cap space, and cutting Kmet before June 1 would free $8.4 million. That number rises to $10 million with a post-June 1 designation, and with a rookie class to sign, he might be a necessary casualty.
The Bears could also try to trade Kmet at some point, but his contract makes that a bit complicated. He's slated to make $8.9 million in 2026 and the same amount next season, and while his new team can always part ways with him after a season, that might be a bit too rich for a tight end who has topped 60 receptions in a single season on two occasions.
As things stand now, it looks like the most obvious path for Kmet will be to try to make himself non-expendable by showing up to training camp in the best shape of his career and approaching every day in the most aggressive way possible.
Ben Johnson wants this team to be the most competitive in the game, and Kmet will have to show that he's not going to back down from some friendly competition with a younger player. This team should have room and targets for both of us, but given the financial situation, he's going to have to earn his spot.
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