The Chicago Bears find themselves in a tight spot, with a $10 million salary cap dilemma. As the new league year approaches, they must navigate a complex path to compliance and create space for future moves. One potential solution involves releasing linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, which could free up $15 million, but there's another player on the radar: tight end Cole Kmet.
Despite a slight dip in productivity, Kmet's value shines through with his exceptional blocking skills and those two game-changing touchdowns against Philadelphia and Los Angeles. He's a team favorite, a coach's dream, and a trusted leader in the locker room. However, releasing him would provide an additional $8.4 million in cap relief. The Bears have Colston Loveland, but is this a sacrifice they must make?
Enter Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, who believes the Bears have a different plan. Kmet's contract, which runs through 2027, includes an $8.9 million base salary, a $1 million roster bonus, and $100,000 workout bonuses for the next two seasons, totaling $20 million. His cap hit is $11.6 million per season, with no guaranteed money remaining. Biggs suggests an extension could be the way forward, especially considering the importance of tight ends in Ben Johnson's offensive scheme.
Extending Kmet's contract makes sense, but the Bears must navigate a delicate balance. With Loveland likely to be the primary pass target, they must decide how much they're willing to invest in Kmet. Conversely, Kmet might hesitate, knowing other teams could offer more for his services. The key factor here is Kmet's desire to stay in Chicago, his hometown, where he's already achieved success and found a clear role in Johnson's offense.
Kmet, a local hero, has lived his dream of playing for the Bears. After tasting success in 2025, he might be willing to take a discount to remain with the team until his 30th birthday. Primary blocking tight ends currently earn around $7 million per year in the NFL, and with Kmet's receiving skills, that number seems like a fair starting point.
The primary reason for an extension is Kmet's proven value within Johnson's offense. With Loveland's potential for injury, Kmet could seamlessly step into the primary tight end role. Keeping a strong tight end pair together is a challenge for most teams, but the Bears could create history by retaining Kmet and Loveland, potentially forming the best tight end tandem in NFL history.
As the Bears navigate this situation, the question remains: Will Kmet be open to an extension? With no guaranteed money left on his current deal, the team's offer will likely be a significant factor. If all goes well, the Bears could secure a key offensive piece into his 30s and free up extra cap space to improve their roster for the upcoming season.
Erik Lambert, a football writer with over 15 years of experience covering the Chicago Bears, provides this insightful analysis. With a master's degree in the Teaching of Writing from Columbia College Chicago and over twenty million views on Sports Mockery, Lambert offers a unique perspective on Bears strategy and team developments, having shared his expertise on various sports platforms in the U.S. and Europe.
