Bears fans were wrong all along about Chicago’s top trade candidate

Since the end of last season, Chicago Bears fans have had tight end Cole Kmet tabbed as a top trade candidate. Heck, we even heard it last year after the Bears selected Colston Loveland in the first round of the NFL Draft.

The conjecture has gotten even stronger now, though, and understandably so. Loveland had a brilliant rookie campaign, and the Bears just drafted another tight end, nabbing Sam Roush in the third round back in April.

So why would Chicago hold on to Kmet, who still has two years remaining on the four-year, $50 million extension he signed with the team? He managed just 30 catches for 347 yards and a couple of touchdowns in 2025, and it’s becoming very obvious that he is being phased out as a top weapon.

But perhaps the Bears feel Kmet can be utilized in different ways other than just catching passes?

Jacob Infante of Pro Football Network has ranked Chicago’s tight end room as No. 1 in the NFL, and Kmet’s versatility is a big reason why.

Chicago Bears might not trade Cole Kmet after all

Infante obviously noted the receiving ability of Loveland and the potential of Roush, but he also really likes Kmet as a blocker and sure-handed player.

“Kmet is a reliable blocker and a strong security blanket who’s only dropped 3.9% of his targets since coming to Chicago in 2020,” Infante wrote.

So maybe Ben Johnson actually really likes Kmet’s role within the offense and would prefer to keep him moving forward?

A tight end is unique from a wide receiver, so they are evaluated differently. Just because Kmet’s numbers have dipped over the last couple of seasons do not mean he isn’t making an impact, so he is still important to the Bears’ offense.

Of course, that doesn’t necessarily mean Kmet is satisfied with his role. He hauled in 73 receptions for 719 yards and six scores back in 2023, but has seen his production decline ever since Caleb Williams took over under center in 2024. It’s also clear that Johnson and Williams both preferred Loveland last season.

For now, though, Kmet is under contract, so he has no choice but to go out and do the job Chicago asks of him.

We all thought Kmet was the team’s most obvious trade piece, but maybe the Bears have had different thoughts all along.

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