According to Pro Football Focus, tight end is arguably the most challenging position to find elite talent, and it takes tight ends the longest to develop at the NFL level. The four teams that reached the 2023 conference championships all boasted some of the best TEs in the NFL. The NFC North features several top-tier tight ends, and the Bears are no exception. With two TEs ranked in the top 20 of PFF’s top 32 tight ends, the Bears have transformed their tight end room.
Chicago Bears New Tight End Duo Featured In PFF’s TE Rankings
Analysis of the Bears Tight End Duo
Cole Kmet has been the Bears golden boy at tight end, ranking just outside the top ten at 11. Drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Kmet has blossomed into one of the NFL’s top TEs. Last season, he set career highs with 73 catches for 719 yards. Additionally, PFF highlighted that Kmet has only dropped three passes over the past two seasons. Over the years, Kmet has improved his pass protection and ability to create separation, solidifying his role as the Bears three-down tight end. With a new partner in the TE room, Kmet has the potential to elevate his game even further next season.
Newly acquired tight end Gerald Everett is ranked 19th on PFF’s TE list. PFF noted Everett’s exceptional ability to make defenders miss, with 45 forced missed tackles over the past three years. He will be a significant addition to the team, providing rookie quarterback Caleb Williams with another receiving threat. Not only that, but Everett will also be a major help for Kmet in learning to maximize yards after the catch.
Outlook
Although Cole Kmet might not reach the level of Travis Kelce or George Kittle, he remains one of the NFL’s top tight ends. He brings valuable leadership to a young team and continues to improve. The addition of Gerald Everett creates a dynamic 1-2 punch at tight end that will enhance the Bears offense. Kmet also praised Everett for his physical play, stating the following.
“He’s a relentless player in that regard…He’s tough to bring down, and that brings a lot of juice to an offense when guys do that. That’s something that I try to predicate my game on as well is being tough to bring down and being physical with the ball in my hands, and he does that well. He’s also a very explosive athlete.”
With several new pieces added to the offense, they will support each other in creating a formidable unit. Newly hired Offensive Coordinator Shane Waldron loves to run 12 personnel, meaning Kmet and Everett will frequently be on the field together. Both Kmet and Everett, with D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze on the field, is a video-game-type list of receiving targets on offense. Having to guard all those playmakers will give Kmet and Everett time to mesh and create a tight-end duo that opposing defenses can’t handle.
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