3 Bears players who could become first time Pro Bowlers in 2024

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Cole Kmet, TE

It feels like it's finally Kmet's time. During a strong 2023 season, the fourth year tight end set career highs in both receptions (4.3) and receiving yards (43.3) per game. He ranked 7th league-wide, and 5th in the NFC among tight ends with 73 catches.

He's gradually gotten better every season, improving his catch percentage year over year, and in the Bears' last 3 games of the season, Kmet was especially productive (21 passes for 179 yards and 2 touchdowns on 25 targets.) Originally a weakness in his game, his blocking has also gotten a lot better – something that helped the Bears lead the NFL in rushing last season.

He figures to be a part of this team for a while, too: last year's "breakout season" came after the Bears signed him to a 4-year contract extension in late July, and he's still just 24 years old. Tight ends take a while to develop these days, and Kmet's gradually gotten better each and every year. There may be a bit of production drop based on some of the signings the team made this offseason, but it feels like Kmet's poised to become one of the league's elite tight ends this fall.