The Chicago Bears shocked the world when they used their first-round pick on Colston Loveland, as most speculated that the tight end could spell the end for veteran Cole Kmet. A second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Notre Dame product became a reliable part of Chicago’s passing attack over the past few seasons. However, that could change, as the tight end was on thin ice even before Loveland arrived in the Windy City.
Cole Kmet is coming off a down season, recording just 47 receptions for 474 yards and four touchdowns despite having first-overall pick Caleb Williams throwing the ball. Now carrying an $11.6 million cap hit in each of the next three seasons while fighting Loveland, D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze, and rookie Luther Burden for targets, Bleacher Report‘s Kristopher Knox believes the Chicago Bears will try to trade Cole Kmet to the Los Angeles Chargers or Kansas City Chiefs.
Chargers, Chiefs Leaders In Cole Kmet Trade Rumors
The Chicago Bears have every reason to trade Cole Kmet, and it’s easy to see why the Los Angeles Chargers could be the top suitors for his services. After earning a Wild Card spot in his first year at the helm, Jim Harbaugh spent the offseason building a team that can win football games the old-fashioned way. While the team should improve with upgrades in the trenches, they still need someone who can catch the ball and clear some running lanes as a blocker, as the Chargers have one of the worst tight end groups in football.
Veteran Will Dissly is an adequate stopgap, but the Chargers must find someone with a higher ceiling to compete in a loaded AFC West. Cole Kmet would be an easy upgrade, and the Chargers have the cap space to facilitate a trade. Despite spending big on guys like right guard Mekhi Becton, the Chargers still have a solid $27.2 million in available spending money. This is more than enough to acquire Kmet without impacting their ability to add players throughout the season.
Travis Kelce’s Replacement?
Future Hall of Fame tight end Travis Kelce will return for one more season, but the all-time great is much closer to the end of his career than the beginning. As discussed on the Fantasy Football RPG podcast, Kelce showed real signs of slowing down last year and probably won’t improve in his age-36 season. While he can still provide value as a depth option, Kansas City must start looking for their tight end of the future.
Cole Kmet will never match Kelce’s greatness, but the trade target could be a valuable part of this passing attack. In the short term, he and Kelce could combine to form one of the league’s better tight end duos. Down the road, Kmet could become the top tight end in this passing attack, and his history with offensive coordinator Matt Nagy should only help him adjust to the scheme.
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