Bleacher Report recently predicted roster cuts across the NFL, focusing on those that would be particularly shocking to each respective fan base. It's no secret that the Chicago Bears currently rest above the NFL's salary cap for 2026, and it's even less of a secret that Cole Kmet's name has been circulating in the rumor mill for weeks.
Kmet is a six-year veteran tight end who was drafted by the Bears back in 2020. Since then, he's posted respectable numbers and been an active member in the Bears' blocking and passing schemes. 2025 saw him take a step back, as the Bears began to favor rookie tight end Colston Loveland. Loveland won the hearts of Bears fans through action and earned his place in Ben Johnson's offense, becoming the Bears' top receiver for the season.
"Chicago can pocket $8.4 million in cap space by moving on from the 26-year-old. That could come in handy for a team in the red in terms of the salary cap at this stage."
Why Bleacher Report Thinks Kmet Is Expendable
Overthecap.com currently lists the Bears at $4 million over the NFL's salary cap. This early in the offseason means the Bears are going to need to create cap space. Even if they don't intend to spend a lot of capital in free agency, the team needs money. While many teams restructure deals or release expensive veterans, Bears general manager Ryan Poles has been known to perform spectacularly in such situations. His top-tier performance in the 2025 draft is one of the core reasons we can even consider letting Kmet go.
Kmet is under contract with the Bears through the 2027 season. With that much time under team control, it doesn't make much sense to let him go without cashing in on what he's built. Releasing him now would clear the space the Bears need to no longer be in the red, but it would be flushing away a resource the Bears have already paid for. Release isn't the way. A trade is.
Bleacher Report's projection may have some interesting ideas, but it doesn't align with how Poles has built this roster. The Bears are not in teardown mode, and it's foolish to think that they'd allow a six-year homegrown veteran to simply walk.
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Building around Caleb Williams is essential to a team this early in success, and cutting Kmet now would only create a hole in the roster. Loveland may be excellent, but that doesn't mean the Bears should move on from Kmet. Moving on from Kmet now would only contradict the direction this front office has taken at every step.