Bears’ Tight End Dilemma: Kmet Trade Rumors Surface After Loveland Pick
The Chicago Bears raised eyebrows across the NFL landscape when they selected Michigan tight end Colston Loveland with the 10th overall pick in the April draft. The decision was particularly surprising given that Tyler Warren from Penn State, widely regarded as the premier tight end prospect in the class, remained available. Moreover, the Bears already had a solid presence at the position in Cole Kmet, making the selection seem redundant to many observers. This unexpected move has inevitably placed Kmet in an uncertain position as he enters the 2025 season, with his role potentially diminished by the high-profile rookie’s arrival.
Trade speculation surrounding Kmet has been persistent throughout the offseason, though the Bears have thus far chosen to retain him on their roster. This could change as the November trade deadline approaches, with Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox already including Kmet on his pre-Week 1 trade big board. Knox specifically mentioned the Jacksonville Jaguars as a logical landing spot, a connection that makes particular sense following Jacksonville’s decision to part ways with veteran tight end Evan Engram after the 2024 season. Knox’s analysis suggests that Kmet’s situation could mirror what happened with Michael Mayer in Las Vegas, where rookie Brock Bowers effectively rendered the former second-round pick expendable. The key difference, according to Knox, is that “The Bears, though, can expect a much stronger trade package than what the Raiders might expect for Mayer.”
Knox estimates Kmet’s trade value at approximately a fifth-round pick, a price that Jacksonville might find quite reasonable for a former second-round selection with proven production. Such a move would provide the Jaguars with an immediate replacement for Engram while giving Kmet a fresh opportunity in an offense where he could potentially reclaim a featured role. Despite a statistical regression last season—where Kmet recorded 47 catches for 474 yards and four touchdowns—his 2023 campaign showcased his potential as an ascending talent when he accumulated 73 receptions, 719 yards, and six touchdowns.
The arrival of Loveland undoubtedly complicates Kmet’s future in Chicago. As a top-10 selection, Loveland will almost certainly command a significant portion of the targets that might otherwise go to Kmet, potentially reducing the veteran’s production and role within the offense. This anticipated decrease in opportunities makes a trade scenario increasingly plausible as the Bears look to maximize value from their assets while giving their prized rookie room to develop. The situation exemplifies the constant evolution of NFL rosters, where even productive players can suddenly find themselves expendable when teams invest premium draft capital at their position.
One factor that makes Kmet particularly attractive as a trade candidate is his contract situation. Currently signed through the 2027 season, Kmet offers any acquiring team long-term stability rather than just a short-term rental. This contractual security would be especially valuable to a team like Jacksonville, which is looking to rebuild its offensive identity after parting ways with Engram. The combination of Kmet’s proven production, his reasonable contract, and his relative youth at 26 years old creates a compelling package for teams in need of tight end help.
As the 2025 season approaches, Bears general manager Ryan Poles faces a delicate balancing act. He must weigh the benefits of keeping two talented tight ends against the potential return value in a trade and the importance of clearing the path for Loveland’s development. For Kmet, the situation represents both uncertainty and opportunity—whether he remains in Chicago in a potentially reduced role or finds himself with a fresh start in Jacksonville or elsewhere. Football fans will be watching closely to see how this tight end drama unfolds, with implications that could significantly impact both the Bears’ offense and Kmet’s career trajectory in the coming seasons.
