When the Chicago Bears took tight end Colston Loveland 10th overall in last April's draft, trade speculation around Cole Kmet, the team's incumbent TE1, was easy and obvious. But it was also clear that the TE2 had a prominent role in Ben Johnson's Detroit offenses, and it later emerged that Johnson called Kmet to underscore his importance.
As Loveland emerged over the course of his rookie season, Kmet's role in the passing game was impacted. His snap shares remained robust, of course but from Week 6 through the playoffs the veteran topped two catches in a game three times.
When it comes down to it, Kmet is making too much money to be something along the lines of "Brock Wright on steroids", in reference to the Lions' TE2 over the last couple of years, Johnson was there. And while the Bears have some paths to create noticeable chunks of cap space, Kmet is uniquely a potential asset on the trade market who could be cashed in for an extra piece of draft capital.
With that in mind, Kmet made Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report's fresh list of players who could be on the trade block this offseason.
New trade proposal sends Cole Kmet out of Chicago
"Expect tight end Cole Kmet's name to come up often in trade chatter this offseason, for a couple of reasons. For one, the Bears found themselves a tremendous tight end in 2025 first-round pick Colston Loveland, which makes Kmet a bit of a luxury. Secondly, Chicago could save $8.4 million by trading Kmet before March 15."
"While Kmet saw a greatly reduced role during Loveland's rookie campaign, he has three 500-yard campaigns on his resume and will turn just 27 in March. He can be a solid long-term starter for a team in need of a pass-catching tight end."
Knox named a top landing spot for each player on his list, and the one he had for Kmet feels easy.
"The Carolina Panthers should be interested in adding a tight end of Kmet's caliber. Carolina won the NFC South and appears poised to take another positive step. However, it could use a more dynamic tight end to aid quarterback Bryce Young."
Knox also offered a projected trade value for Kmet, and it probably won't impress Bears fans.
"Projected Trade Value: 2026 5th-Round Pick'
If a fifth-round pick is the best possible trade return for Kmet this offseason, the Bears would be better off to just keep him and revisit the possibility of trading him at a later date. But if he continues to be the clear second-fiddle to Loveland, and barring injury to Loveland, he will, his trade value won't get better unless another team finds itself in a crunch to find a capable tight end.
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And there, we have the quandary the Bears are in regarding Kmet. His role isn't in line to justify his pay, but what is his trade value in comparison to the value he does add? If there is an ideal time to trade him, beyond hypotheticals that might push other teams to make a deal, when might it be?