Andy Dalton has been around the NFL for a long time. He’s had a chance to play with some really good football players on the offensive side of the ball. The tight end position is no exception. He worked with Jermaine Gresham for a number of seasons early in his career. Then he had some good runs with Tyler Eifert after that. Both made the Pro Bowl. So he understands what a capable tight end is supposed to look like.
That is what makes his comments on Cole Kmet so encouraging. Anybody who has followed highlights from Chicago Bears training camp thus far will notice #14 throwing to #85 a lot. This shows a connection is clearly building between the veteran quarterback and the second-year tight end. When asked about it during his latest press conference, Dalton had glowing remarks for Kmet and the strides he’s made in such a short time.
This is exactly what the Bears are hoping for.
They saw big possibilities when they drafted Kmet last year. While not the most productive in college, there were flashes of his immense talent. Considering he was a 2nd round pick while splitting his time with baseball? There was no telling how much better he could get once his focus shifted entirely to football. It appears we’re starting to see early results of that. The work Kmet has put in over the past few months is substantial. That includes a stint at Tight End University where he had a chance to learn from guys like Travis Kelce and George Kittle.
Those lessons appear to have had an impact. If he can take a big leap this season, then the Bears offense is set up for a lot of success in the future. Especially if Justin Fields lives up to his own massive potential at quarterback.
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Andy Dalton has a chance to help Kmet take that step
While nobody would ever accuse the 33-year old of being an elite QB, he’s had some productive connections with tight ends. He and Gresham went for 736 yards and five touchdowns in 2012. Then in 2015, Eifert went for 615 yards and 13 touchdowns. It’s pretty clear Dalton loves to look for his tight ends in the red zone. Given Kmet is 6’7 with that strong body and long wingspan? It makes perfect sense.
In truth, the Bears have a large tight end group in general. Jimmy Graham and newcomer Jesse James are both 6’7 as well. All are capable of catching passes. One could argue this is the deepest and most capable tight end group the franchise has ever put together. Especially if Kmet continues to ascend.
It’s easy to be excited.
Andy Dalton certainly is. It feels like this isn’t a matter of whether he can produce with this array of Bears weapons. It is whether the offensive line can do enough to keep him upright. That is something that will be monitored moving forward. Kmet will get to see his first action against the Miami Dolphins on Saturday in the preseason opener.
