With the 2022 NFL free agency period just a few weeks away, the Chicago Bears have several positions that need to be addressed. One position they don’t have to address is the tight end position. Third-year tight end Cole Kmet has improved year-by-year during his first two seasons in the league. With new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, Kmet could be poised for a breakout season in 2022.

Kmet Has Already Had Some Experience In Getsy’s Potential Offensive Scheme

With Getsy as the new play-caller for the Bears’ offense, it is expected that the new offensive coordinator will feature a Shanahan-style offensive scheme. Chicago’s offense will resemble the type of scheme the San Francisco 49ers use with pre-snap motions and heavy use of quarterback boot-leg and rollout passing designs. Getsy’s main goal with the offensive will be to give second-year quarterback Justin Fields an option to either run or pass.

Luke Getsy remains my favorite coaching hire the Bears have made this offseason. Really seems like he will build this offense from the ground up around the personnel he has. May have some Shanahan elements but feels opposite of Nagy wanting to run the Reid system

— Jeremy Layton (@JeremyLayt0n) February 10, 2022

The Bears’ offense has recently deployed this offensive scheme as former offensive coordinator Bill Lazor utilized boot-legs and rollouts with quarterback Mitchell Trubisky during the latter part of the 2020 season. The play designs were better for Trubisky as it cut the field reads in half for him. Chicago’s offense was successful with Lazor’s scheme as the Bears averaged over 29 points on offense during their final six games of the 2020 season. Trubisky would record a quarterback rating of 97 or higher in five of those six games due to the success with the passing scheme.

One of Trubisky’s most important passing targets during that six-game span was Kmet, who was targeted 33 times and recorded 21 receptions. Many of the rookie tight end’s receptions at the end of 2020 came on designed boot-leg passing plays. Kmet’s second touchdown of his rookie season came on a bootleg pass from Trubisky against the Detroit Lions.

It seems Cole Kmet is finally a key piece in the Bears' offense. He played in 85% of their snaps offensively Sunday and has played 70% or more in each of the four games with Bill Lazor calling plays.

The rookie Kmet had four receptions for 41 yards in the Bears' victory.

— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) December 14, 2020

Last season, following Lazor re-taking play-calling duties from head coach Matt Nagy in Week 4, Chicago began to utilize boot-leg passing designs again, but not to the extent seen in 2020. Fields would throw a touchdown pass to tight end Jesse James against the San Francisco 49ers, which came on a rollout play-design. Kmet’s longest reception of the 2021 season was a 25-yard pass from Chicago’s rookie quarterback against the Pittsburgh Steelers, which also came on a boot-leg pass-play.

Justin Fields to Jesse James for the touchdown. The Bears are playing to the strengths of their rookie quarterback, operating with play-action and moving him outside of the pocket. He looks quite comfortable early on.

— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) October 31, 2021

Despite Lazor’s decreased use of rollout play designs, Kmet still had an impressive season as he improved on several offensive numbers from the previous season, despite not scoring a touchdown in 2021. The former Notre Dame tight end finished the season with 60 receptions and over 600 receiving yards, doubling and tripling his numbers from his rookie campaign.

Kmet Will Play A Vital Role In Chicago’s New Offense In 2022

Kmet will play a significant part in the Bears’ offense in 2022 as the tight end position is an integral part of a Shanahan-style offense. With rollout and bootleg passing plays, the tight end must draw attention from opposing linebackers giving the quarterback space to run to pick up yardage. If Kmet can become a viable threat, Fields will have more room to run to the edge on designed passing plays. With the quarterback’s superb level of speed, if opposing defenders are drawn to the tight end, it could lead to several big runs by Chicago’s second-year quarterback.

49ers’ All-Pro tight end George Kittle is a prime example of what the position is supposed to be in Shanahan’s offense. Kittle is used on either short or midrange crossing routes on bootleg play designs. This has either freed up the 49ers’ quarterbacks to throw the ball to the tight end or run towards the edge to pick up a first down, depending on which position the opposing linebacker is defending.

Once again – Kyle Shanahan

3️⃣ Three Tight Ends

↔️ Split Zone Boot

⚡️ Throw back to the Corner/Post from George Kittle! pic.twitter.com/LU3MxwOxHl

— Coach Dan Casey (@CoachDanCasey) November 25, 2019

Kmet might not have the same talent level of talent as Kittle, but he still can be an effective threat in the Bears’ passing offense in 2022. In 2021, Chicago’s starting tight end was highly productive but never fully utilized. Kmet caught three or more passing in nine of the Bears’ final ten games last year. It appeared that Chicago deployed the tight end more as an emergency target instead of a primary option on passing plays.

Despite only having two touchdowns through his first two years in the NFL, Kmet has shown flashes of being a big-play tight end. He can make plays over the middle and has caught deep balls outside. Kmet was a reliable option in the Bears’ offense in 2021, but it seemed that his potential was limited by Nagy and Lazor’s questionable offensive scheme.

Beautiful throw from Justin Fields to Cole Kmet for 24 yards! #DaBears pic.twitter.com/7svBL4eZGG

— Pro Football Culture (@proftblculture) December 21, 2021

Getsy’s offensive scheme could lead to success for the Bears in 2022, but Kmet and the tight end position will play a significant role in that success. If Fields is finding more availability to run for a first down, it will be because of Chicago’s starting tight end being viewed as a legitimate receiving threat for opposing defenders. During his first two seasons in the NFL, Kmet has shown the capability of being a quality tight end, but in 2022 he will have a chance to become one of the league’s better tight ends.