Free agency is literally around the corner in the NFL and the Chicago Bears have some big names to consider bringing back.
Some of the big-name free agents include Jaquan Brisker, Kevin Byard, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Nahshon Wright, D'Marco Jackson, and Braxton Jones. That's going to require a lot of money in their salary cap to afford all the guys they want to bring back or the new players they want to add.
There have already been cap casualties on the Bears that have paid the price with DJ Moore's trade to the Buffalo Bills and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds being cut, creating $44 million of cap space just from those two moves. One other player on the roster might end up getting cut or traded in the process once the new league year begins.
Will Cole Kmet be shown the door when the new league year starts?
While tight end Cole Kmet has been a solid player for the Bears since being drafted by them in 2020, the end of his time has felt more and more real over the past year. His 2025 campaign marked his worst season since his rookie year as he caught 30 passes for 347 yards and two touchdowns.
Kmet has been overshadowed by the 2025 first-round pick Colston Loveland, who has instantly become a star on the team and the future at tight end. Moore's departure almost ensures that Loveland will be the number one target in the passing game for Bears quarterback Caleb Williams.
Before the 2023 season, Kmet signed a four-year, $50 million contract extension with the Bears. He's currently got two more years on that deal and is set to have an $11.6 million cap hit in 2026 and 2027.
If Kmet is traded before March 15, the Bears will save $8.4 million, but will only save $7.4 million if he is cut between March 15 and June 1. Should the Bears decide to trade Kmet instead before June 1, they would save $8.4 million.
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It feels as though, with Kmet being less involved in the offense, the end of his time is certainly coming, given the Bears' need for cap space and their desire to get younger. Chicago will most likely call around to see if they can get a Day 3 draft pick for Kmet, or end up cutting him as they get to work on retooling a roster that could be Super Bowl-bound in 2026.