Even with a new coaching staff, it isn’t difficult to pinpoint players on the roster who are probably safe. On offense for the Chicago Bears, that list includes Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze, D.J. Moore, Darnell Wright, and, of course, their new additions via trade and free agency. D’Andre Swift and Braxton Jones are two wild cards since both could potentially be replaced with a 1st round pick next month. What not enough people have considered is tight end Cole Kmet could be facing a similar situation.
Chicago signed him to an extension last year, believing he’d play a central role in their offense. Instead, their coaching staff marginalized him while trying to force-feed Keenan Allen. It didn’t work. Many hope the arrival of Ben Johnson might get the tight end position more involved. The problem is Johnson had no say in Kmet’s retention on the roster. He may have a different vision for what he wants at the position. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune left the door open for the Bears to potentially seek alternatives in the draft.
To answer your questions, I think Johnson likes Kmet, but actions will be more instructive than words. Johnson hasn’t worked on the field with anyone yet. Will Kmet see the ball more? I’d think it would be difficult for him to be less utilized in the offense this season. Will the Bears draft a tight end? They no doubt are taking a hard look at a good class of tight ends. Free-agent signee Durham Smythe is a veteran blocker with limited pass-catching ability. They could use a young player in the mix. I wouldn’t rule out any of the top tight ends in this class.
Cole Kmet can’t consider himself safe.
People need to remember the Detroit Lions traded T.J. Hockenson, a Pro Bowler, in 2022 because he didn’t fit Johnson’s vision. To that end, there is no reason to think Cole Kmet is a lock for this team long-term. His blocking prowess might appeal to the Bears head coach, but his limited ceiling as a pass catcher can’t be ignored. This 2025 draft class is considered strong at tight end, headlined by Penn State’s Tyler Warren, who is a projected top-10 pick. Coleston Loveland from Michigan is compared to Sam LaPorta, who Johnson coached to great success in Detroit. Biggs is correct. While Kmet isn’t in immediate danger, his status on the roster is anything but secure.
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With the game on the line, do you really think that Caleb has confidence in and expects Kmet to get separation and catch the ball? I don’t!
Hopefully that will change, but there is no guarantee that MY HC BEN can resurrect him.
Kmet isn’t going anywhere. The only people who talk about him are the so called insiders. Whoever the hell they are and what the color of the day is.
Get rid of Lackey Lewis, Rookie Robinson, Hopeless Homer, and Local Kramer v. Kramer too. Send Krip Kiran back to the Ivy League for rehab.
@Vtdsypher, all the qualities you just said are things Kmet does well are all criticized as his weaknesses. He is not a good blocker for his size, He lacks separation downfield and he has the knack to have drops.
I think it would be a mistake to trade Cole Kmet. He is a good blocker, pass catcher, and a positive influence in the locker-room. He has been underutilized by the previous offensive coordinator and that’s not his fault. Hopefully, Ben Johnson will see his potential and find ways to use him. I doubt Tyler Warren will fall to them at #10. I seem to remember Ben Johnson saying he’d first get to know players and their abilities and then design plays based on that. He wasn’t going to try to duplicate his playbook from Detroit. If that’s really the… Read more »