It is no secret that I am a Cole Kmet fan. I have been singing his praises and standing up for him as a solid tight end since he was drafted in 2020. Ryan Pace selected Kmet in the second round and Kmet has shown growth and progress year after year. Now, he's coming off what some believe to be a breakout season in 2022 and is looking for an extension before hitting free agency in 2024. His 2023 production could change things, but extending him now might be the best idea.
Ryan Poles has spoken highly of Cole Kmet but has yet to sign any past players to major extensions. David Montgomery walked in free agency while Poles traded away stars Roquan Smith, Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn. The team has five players in the final year of their rookie contracts who are looking for an extension — Cole Kmet, Jaylon Johnson, Darnell Mooney, Chase Claypool and Trevis Gipson. My best guess is no more than two see an extension from the Chicago Bears, while the other three or four hit free agency.
Evan Engram contract is blueprint for the Bears to extend Cole Kmet
The Jacksonville Jaguars extended Evan Engram today by rewarding him with a three-year contract worth $41.25 million. The contract includes $24 million in guarantees. This is a $13.7 million-per-year average for the 28-year-old tight end. At that amount, Engram now ranks sixth overall in average salary per year behind the likes of Darren Waller, George Kittle, Travis Kelce, Dallas Goedert and Mark Andrews. With this contract now in place, how will Cole Kmet's agent use it to his advantage? Will this contract lead to a Kmet extension with the Bears or will it mean the end of his tenure in Chicago?
Engram is coming off a career-receiving year with 766 yards. It was close to the numbers he put up in his rookie season with the Giants. That year, he finished with 722 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Last season he had more yards, but fewer touchdowns (4). Engram has dealt with injuries throughout most of his career but played in all 17 games for the Jaguars last season. He has averaged 599 yards and 3 touchdowns per year. This is better than Kmet who has averaged 466 yards and 3 touchdowns per season. That said, they play different roles.
Cole Kmet also hasn't had any health issues at this point in his career. He is four years younger (24) than Evan Engram also. When we look at his blocking abilities coupled with his consistently improving receiving stats, Cole Kmet is the more well-rounded, in-line (Y) tight end, while Engram is that "move" (U) tight end that is more like an extra wide receiver than a tight end.
With Engram seeing $13 million per year, I'd expect Kmet to land somewhere between $10 and $12 million. That puts him in the Hunter Henry and Zach Ertz salary range. If Cole Kmet pushes that amount he will not be brought back. If he accepts it, I expect him to stick around. Either way, it gives both the Chicago Bears and Kmet a more recent number to work with in negotiations.