Bears tight end whose trade value climbed after Chicago drafted Sam Roush in the 2026 third round.
Cole Kmet has been the Bears' starting tight end since 2020 and the most consistent receiving option at the position in Chicago's history. His situation became complicated in 2026 when the Bears drafted tight end Sam Roush in the third round and restructured Kmet's deal, creating trade speculation that has not yet resulted in a move.
Path to the league
Notre Dame product taken 43rd overall by Chicago in 2020. Developed into a reliable two-way tight end over five seasons with the Bears, earning a long-term extension that was later restructured.
Contract and trade situation
Restructured deal carries a $7.775 million cap hit in 2026 before a $15.425 million final year in 2027. The Bears drafted Sam Roush in the third round of the 2026 draft, sending a signal the league interpreted as succession planning. Chicago has maintained Roush is a complementary player. Several teams including the Chiefs and Ravens have made offers; all were rejected.
Sources
- ESPN: NFL trade offers 2026 offseason
- NFL.com: Cole Kmet player page
Statistics
2025 season and career2025 Season · Receiving
16 games played▶Receiving · career
| Year | Team | GP | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | bears | 16 | 30 | 347 | 11.6 | 2 | 31 |
| 2024 | bears | 17 | 47 | 474 | 10.1 | 4 | 31 |
| 2023 | bears | 17 | 73 | 719 | 9.8 | 6 | 53 |
| 2022 | bears | 17 | 50 | 544 | 10.9 | 7 | 50 |
| 2021 | bears | 17 | 60 | 612 | 10.2 | 0 | 25 |
| 2020 | bears | 16 | 28 | 243 | 8.7 | 2 | 38 |
▶Rushing · career
| Year | Team | GP | CAR | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | bears | 17 | 3 | 2 | 0.7 | 0 | 1 |
| 2022 | bears | 17 | 2 | 9 | 4.5 | 0 | 8 |
| 2021 | bears | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | bears | 16 | 1 | -3 | -3.0 | 0 | -3 |
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Tight End
- Group
- offense
- College
- Notre Dame
- Hometown
- Lake Barrington, IL, USA
- Age
- 27
- Status
- active
