The Chicago Bears have clearly prioritized upgrading Caleb Williams' weapons in recent drafts. They took wideout Rome Odunze with the No. 9 pick last year, then used the No. 10 pick on tight end Colston Loveland and a second-rounder on receiver Luther Burden just a few months ago.
Alongside D.J. Moore, D'Andre Swift, and Cole Kmet, this group creates an exciting foundation with plenty of explosiveness that should give head coach Ben Johnson plenty of options with play calls.
However, Kmet's summer hasn't been as exciting as the team's as a whole. He should be worried about his job, and things just got worse during Tuesday's practice.
Also, Cole Kmet went back into the building with trainer Andre Tucker not long after a 7 on 7 period.
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) August 5, 2025
Bears TE Cole Kmet Suffers Apparent Camp Injury on Tuesday
Bears insider Courtney Cronin noted on X that Kmet went back into the building with trainer Andre Tucker not long after a 7-on-7 period. It's not clear what his injury is, but reports indicate he was visibly upset. Kmet has never missed a game in his career, so this potentially represents another bad omen ahead of the first preseason contest on Sunday.
In the midst of a four-year, $50 million contract that made Kmet the seventh-highest player at the position on an annual basis, the 26-year-old needs a big season to avoid the Bears taking advantage of the potential out they have after this year.
His dead cap hit falls to just $3.2 million in 2026. If Loveland looks like the star Chicago believes he can be and Kmet struggles, this could be his last season with the organization. In just 10 games on a run-heavy offense in 2024 at Michigan, Loveland caught 56 passes for 582 yards and five TDs, displaying dynamic athleticism and pass-catching ability.
To Kmet's credit, he's been a consistent option for this team. His production dipped a touch with how much the offense struggled in 2024, but he had three straight seasons with at least 544 receiving yards, highlighted by a 719-yard and six-TD effort in 2023 that led to the extension. The Bears might imagine a two-headed monster at tight end with Kmet and Loveland, and it's clear they believe in him, but Kmet might indeed be auditioning for another team in the end.
The former second-round selection out of Notre Dame can certainly coexist with Loveland. Even still, he's got to be on the field and at his best to prove that to the front office. Here's hoping the injury isn't serious and that he can be in action against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.