Bears-Jets trade proposal sees Chicago cut ties with $50 million playmaker

The Chicago Bears made what was at least a somewhat surprising pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft when the team selected tight end Colston Loveland.

Loveland was widely considered one of the best tight ends in this year's draft, but the Bears also already had tight end in Cole Kmet, who is in the midst of playing out a four-year, $50 million contract that runs through 2027.

The draft selection has made many wonder if the Bears might cut ties with Kmet. If they do, the New York Jets should have interest — and that's something Mike Gianakos of Clutch Points agrees with.

Gianakos recently proposed a trade between the Bears and Jets that sends Kmet to New York. He doesn't offer a return for the Bears, but we'd suspect an early Day 3 pick would be enough to get it done.

"Yes, the Jets drafted a tight end as well, as New York selected Mason Taylor out of LSU in the second round. While Taylor has all the physical traits you could hope for in a tight end as well as Hall of Fame genetics (his father is former Miami Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor), he remains something of a wild card," Gianakos wrote.

Kmet is coming off a down campaign with 474 receiving yards, but so is just about everyone from Chicago's dysfunctional 2024 offense that had a rookie quarterback and a lot of competition for targets.

The 26-year-old has proven to be an impact playmaker in the NFL, as evidenced by his three seasons of 500 yards or more, including a 2023 campaign that saw him break loose for a career-high 719 yards.

And, who was his quarterback that season? You guessed it, Justin Fields.

It's true the Jets have a young tight end in Taylor, the team's second-round pick, but they also have a desperate need for more playmakers for Fields, a box Kmet can help check.

Also, both Kmet and Taylor have shown they can line up anywhere on the formation, so there's room for both in Tanner Engstand's offense.

We'd much rather see the Jets add another wide receiver on the boundary and/or in the slot, but if all else fails, bringing in Kmet would be a welcomed addition.

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