One of the lingering offseason storylines for the Chicago Bears is which players they will still release.
Sitting at just $1 million of cap space, the Bears might now be in a position where they won't have a choice but to start cutting or trading good players with expensive contracts. Bleacher Report writer Kristopher Knox named seven players who are cut candidates, with once again Bears tight end Cole Kmet being named as one.
"If the Bears can't work out a restructure or find a trade partner for Kmet, they can save $9 million by releasing him after June 1. If Chicago can add some depth behind Loveland over draft weekend, releasing Kmet would make a good amount of financial sense. If Kmet does become available, adding him should be a priority for virtually any team in need of a pass-catching tight end. The Notre Dame product has caught 288 passes for 2,939 yards and 21 touchdowns in six seasons and won't turn 28 until next offseason."
Cole Kmet again is on cut candidate list for 2026
Kmet's 30 receptions for 347 yards and two touchdowns in 2025 is one of the worst seasons he has had since his rookie season. While he can still play at a high level, Colston Loveland is the number one target in this offense as Kmet and quarterback Caleb Williams have just never been able to get their chemistry going.
With two years remaining on his four-year, $50 contract extension, which he signed two seasons ago, Kmet feels like he is in a spot where he either has to restructure his contract or face the possibility of playing elsewhere in 2026. If the Bears cut or release Kmet before June 1, they will save $7.4 million. They also have the option to make him a June 1 designation release, which would save the Bears $9 million after that date.
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Chicago has had all offseason to do something, and nothing has been done yet. The Bears are running out of time to work with Kmet, but no matter what, something will happen to him if they want to make some moves now.