After beginning Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft by selecting their ultimate Drew Dalman replacement in Iowa center Logan Jones, the Chicago Bears continued by trading their other second-round selection and moving back nine picks.
Once finally on the board at pick no. 69, general manager Ryan Poles made an initially-puzzling selection when he opted for Stanford tight end Sam Roush.
Many fans likely had the same immediate reaction.
Another tight end? The Bears already had Colston Loveland and Cole -- oh.
As if the speculation over whether or not he would be traded after the Loveland pick in 2025 wasn't enough, it is safe to say it now: Cole Kmet is so gone.
Expect the Chicago Bears to part with Cole Kmet after the Sam Roush selection
No one expected the Bears to draft a tight end, but with Poles sticking to his board, Roush was the guy. And, now, the ramifications will begin to unfold. But first, a bit about the rookie.
Roush comes into the NFL as a tight end who was the focal point of his Stanford Cardinal offense last season. He was the guy, therefore, he's certainly a capable receiver.
That gives Chicago two tight ends who can find success in the passing game. But, it also gives them a pair of tight ends who are also excellent blockers.
It's sometimes tough to find a collegiate tight end who can immediately provide both receiving prowess and offer solid blocking right away, but Roush can do it. And, he's not just a run blocker. Roush excels as a pass blocker, too.
With Roush coming in having been called "an extension" of Stanford's offensive line, that essentially guarantees the Bears are going to move on from Kmet at this point. There's been so much focus on improving the offensive line and overall blocking up front that the Roush pick almost guarantees a Kmet trade, now.
Roush is a player the Bears will want on the field mostly for blocking and being able to beat zone defenses in the passing attack. And, obviously, Loveland is a huge focal point.
Kmet is set to count $11.8 million against the cap in 2026 and if the Bears were to cut him with a post-June 1 designation, they'd save a little over $2 million. So, they could very well end up going that route if they cannot find a trade partner.
The hope, though, would be for the Bears to find a partner that gives up anything, really, in exchange for Kmet's final two years on that deal.
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