Following the Chicago Bears drafting Sam Roush in the 3rd round last month, speculation began picking up. If the team was picking a tight end that high, it might be a signal they’re preparing to move on from Cole Kmet. Despite his productive play last season, the Bears are likely to gear their offense around Colston Loveland. Having your #2 tight end getting paid over $10 million per year isn’t great business. Trading him would free up cap space, collect some draft capital, and allow Roush to fill that role on a cheaper rookie deal.
It is hard to imagine the Bears doing that. Head coach Ben Johnson has flirted with the idea of utilizing more “13” personnel on offense, which is a three-tight-end look. You can’t do that if you trade away one of the key pieces. Still, if the team were to go that route, what would Kmet even fetch? ESPN insiders looked into that recently and came away with some potential offers that might be plausible. While all are technically different, their overall value is relatively the same.
Carolina Panthers
Jeremy Fowler’s offer:
Bears get: 2027 third-round pick, 2028 fifth-round pick
Panthers get: Kmet, 2028 sixth-round pick
Baltimore Ravens
Dan Graziano’s offer:
Bears get: 2028 third-round pick
Ravens get: Kmet
Kansas City Chiefs
Ben Solak’s offer:
Bears get: 2027 third-round pick
Chiefs get: Kmet, 2027 fifth-round pick
Miami Dolphins
Seth Walder’s offer:
Bears get: 2027 fourth-round pick, 2027 sixth-round pick
Dolphins get: Kmet
Trading Cole Kmet just doesn’t make sense for the Bears.
Getting the equivalent of a 3rd round pick for him would be nice. Extra draft capital is never a bad thing. Besides, getting a 3rd back after spending a 2nd on him while also getting six good years from him on the field is good football business. That said, it feels like the Bears value him more highly than that. He was a big-time player for them in crucial moments last season. His catches against the Eagles and Rams have been replayed endlessly over the past few months. Having that in your back pocket is never a bad thing.
Kmet is the type of player who always pops up when you need him. While he isn’t a star, his ability to deliver a big block on a run and then make a big catch for a first down or touchdown on important drives can’t be overstated. Sure, he’s making more money than he probably should be, given his new place in the pecking order. Then again, it is something the Bears can live with. Coaches love him. Teammates love him. He’s a local kid. Sometimes, the business side of things can be glossed over.
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Like anything else, it comes down to price.
If another team were to come forward with a 2nd round pick offer, that might be something the Bears couldn’t pass up. Will it happen? Highly unlikely. It would have to be a perfect storm of circumstances where a contending team is struck by brutal injuries at tight end. While possible, such events rarely materialize. If head coach Ben Johnson felt the Bears didn’t need Cole Kmet, he would’ve greenlit a trade months ago. That was proven when the Bears unloaded D.J. Moore to Buffalo.
Trades are fun. They create all sorts of buzz and lead to untold possibilities. However, history shows that success also comes from the trades you don’t make. Don’t be surprised if that truth comes to pass at some point this season. Kmet won’t put up the big numbers, but he’ll have a big moment. It is only a matter of where and when. All the Bears have to do is find the right situation and give him the chance.
