Bears could cut ties with $50M starter after this season thanks to draft decision

The Chicago Bears had a busy offseason, highlighted by big changes to their offense. They drafted tight end Colston Loveland with the 10th overall pick in the draft, and that move could have major implications on Cole Kmet's future. 

Kmet signed a four-year, $50 million extension before the 2023 season. He went on to have a career year, posting 719 yards and six touchdowns. However, last year he had just 474 yards and four touchdowns. The Bears selected Loveland, putting more pressure on Kmet to perform. However, FanSided's Wynston Wilcox expects next season to be Kmet's final year with the team.

"Kmet has just one season with over 700 receiving yards. It feels forced to keep him around if Loveland ends up becoming the primary tight end," wrote Wilcox. "I expect the Bears to probably let Kmet go after this season or even look to trade him if he does start to produce at a high level. If (Ben) Johnson and his staff believed in Kmet, they wouldn't have drafted Loveland; that's why this feels like his last season in Chicago. Johnson knows what type of tight end he wanted and Kmet doesn't quite fit that mold; Loveland does."

Kmet has 2,592 career receiving yards in 84 games with the Bears. He has barely missed any time since being drafted and has been a reliable target. However, with Johnson now calling the shots, he will likely lean more on the tight end the team just invested a premium pick in. 

Kmet is part of the old regime and could already have been written out of a key role in the offense. Loveland had 1,229 receiving yards in his last two years at the University of Michigan. He also scored nine touchdowns.

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Johnson leaned heavily on Sam LaPorta when he was with the Detroit Lions. That is likely the vision they had when selecting Loveland. Kmet could actually get the Bears a pick back if they trade him, but teams likely know they will end up releasing him if there are no suitors.

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