Bears Reportedly Adamant Cole Kmet Will Have Significant Role After Drafting Loveland

Despite using the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NFL draft to select tight end Colston Loveland, the Chicago Bears reportedly still have big plans for veteran tight end Cole Kmet.

According to ESPN's Courtney Cronin, the Bears "are adamant Kmet will maintain a significant role" in the offense during the 2025 campaign.

Loveland, who starred at Michigan, is still rehabbing a shoulder injury and "won't see the field for several months," per Cronin. While it will take some time to figure out how both tight ends can be utilized at the same time, Chicago appears to be committed to Kmet despite his dip in production last season.

After recording 73 catches for 719 yards and six touchdowns in 2023, Kmet was limited to 47 catches for 474 yards and four touchdowns during the 2024 campaign. He was targeted just 55 times while rookie quarterback Caleb Williams led the passing attack, ranking fourth on the team.

Across his three seasons at Michigan, Loveland produced 117 receptions for 1,466 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Bears made him the first tight end off the board in this year's draft, surprisingly selecting him over Penn State star Tyler Warren.

Chicago is entering a new era under first-year head coach Ben Johnson, and it appears that the franchise is confident that it made the right choice to add Loveland as a complement to Kmet.