A lot of people have wondered what the Chicago Bears are doing with their offensive personnel. None more so than Cole Kmet. They drafted this kid in the 2nd round. He was their first pick. That was a clear indication they have high expectations for him. Yet through five games going into Sunday, he had just one catch for 12 yards. The lack of snaps was alarming.
Head coach Matt Nagy admitted that it wasn’t part of the plan. He wanted to get the rookie more involved. Against the Carolina Panthers, he managed to do that. Following a big interception by Tashaun Gipson in the opening minutes, the Bears were set up with prime field position deep in Panthers territory.
On 3rd and goal from the 9-yard line, Nick Foles fired a rocket into traffic where Kmet hauled it in for a touchdown. It was a well-executed play in every facet. Watching it in real-time one would think that is exactly how they drew it up.
Foles admitted after the game this wasn’t the case at all.
The original play was meant to be for David Montgomery leaking out of the backfield. Yet when the quarterback examined the defense, he killed the call and shifted to a play where Kmet would go to the goal line and then break to the post. Foles admitted it was a gut decision. The tight end did his job and the throw was great. The Bears went up 7-0 and never relinquished the lead.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
Yet the story doesn’t end there for Cole Kmet
Needless to say, it was a big moment for the Lake Barrington native. One any player would love to share with friends and family. That seemed impossible for him what with COVID-19 continuing to ravage the country. However, a stroke of luck arrived this past week when it was revealed Carolina would be allowing a limited number of fans in the stadium for the game.
Kmet sensed an opportunity. He might be able to get some family into the building to finally watch him play live for the first time. That person ended up being his mom Kandace. When she got the news, she immediately got the sense that it was fate.
“There was just something about it this week,” Kandace said. “I had a feeling. Mother’s intuition.”
She was in.
The flight change proved simple. Plenty of open seats available these days. So Kandace made her way to O’Hare on Sunday morning for a 7:19 flight, landed in Charlotte 2½ hours before kickoff and was in the stadium with plenty of time to settle in and appreciate her good fortune.
She was right there in the stands when her son hauled in the TD.
A great moment on a day of several for this 5-1 Bears team. The big question moving forward is whether this convinces the coaching staff to give him more opportunities. Kmet played 23 total snaps on Sunday, making two catches for 20 yards and the touchdown. Demetrius Harris played 24 and was targeted three times but failed to make a single catch.
Outside of blocking, it’s clear Harris doesn’t have much to offer. Cole Kmet is far from polished but the snaps and experience would help solve that issue. This kid has loads of talent. Keeping him off the field because he’s a rookie in favor of a useless veteran makes no sense. It’s time to get him more involved. He is ready.