Now that the Chicago Bears are getting closer to the NFL draft and further away from free agency, it is a good time to reset the roster and identify the biggest needs.
What does the tight end depth chart look like as things stand, and will they need to make additions at the position?
Colston LovelandÂ
Loveland broke out towards the end of his rookie season, and the only question now is what the team will do with him next. He has been compared favorably to Sam LaPorta because he was drafted by Ben Johnson and excelled as a rookie. However, LaPorta took a step back in year two.
The difference may be that this Bears team traded DJ Moore and let Olamide Zacceheaus walk, with just Kaliff Raymond stepping in. They need more targets built in for Loveland.Â
Cole Kmet
Kmet was reportedly on the trade block this offseason, but with the team getting thinner at wide receiver, the thought was always that they would lean more into two-tight-end sets. Kmets' salary is not outrageous enough to lose that advantage. The question now will be what they do about his future on the roster and the depth behind him.Â
Stephen CarlsonÂ
Carlson has been with the Bears since 2023 but has not caught a regular-season pass in that time. He has typically been end of the roster or practice squad, but as the current third tight end, he may have more of a role this season. That team may want to add competition to the room because they are one injury to one of the top two tight ends away from having a serious issue.Â
Nikola KalinicÂ
The Bears signed Kalinic to their practice squad last year, and he spent the season with the team. Still, he is even more unproven and unproductive than Carlson; he is just a touch younger.
Read more: Bears don't need first-round pick to land stellar EDGE who checks all the boxes
The Chicago Bears must add at tight end
Durham Smythe played 293 snaps as the third tight end last year, and that was with a deeper wide receiver room. The Bears are going to need someone who can close to 300 snaps.
The good news is that they need a blocking type of tight end, and those are much easier to find. It will not be one of their early picks, but Chicago may draft a tight end late, and if they do not, they will look to sign another in free agency.