Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet was a popular trade target before the 2026 NFL Draft, and those rumors only intensified after Day 2 of the draft. Kmet, a former second-round pick, never reached the heights of guys like Travis Kelce or Rob Gronkowski, but was one of the league’s better receiving tight ends for a few years. Despite playing in a run-heavy offense, the Notre Dame product recorded at least 50 receptions and 540 yards in three straight seasons from 2021 to 2023. However, his role decreased last year as first-round pick Colston Loveland came alive down the stretch.
Now, Kmet’s role could decrease even further. The Chicago Bears used the 69th-overall pick on Stanford tight end Sam Roush, an athletic weapon with the ability to make plays as a blocker and a pass-catcher. Loveland is the unquestioned TE1 on this roster, but Roush’s presence means Kmet and the rookie will battle for snaps all season long unless the veteran departs. The six-year veteran currently carries a $7.78 million cap hit, which is way too much for a situational tight end.
Cole Kmet may be buried on this depth chart, but the trade candidate is good enough to start on most teams. Seeing as all of the exciting tight end prospects are off the board, don’t be surprised if the Bears send him to one of the following teams for a Day 3 pick.
Bears Could Trade Cole Kmet After Sam Roush Selection; 3 Suitors Likely
Kansas City Chiefs
Travis Kelce will return for another season, but the future Hall of Famer isn’t getting any younger. While Kelce is still an above-average tight end, he’s no longer the unstoppable force he was throughout the 2010’s and early 2020’s. Given Kelce’s age and the relative uncertainty of the wide receiver depth beyond Rashee Rice, the Chiefs desperately need another proven set of hands. Cole Kmet could have his best season in Kansas City, especially since Patrick Mahomes is coming off a torn ACL and may not be able to extend plays as effectively as he used to.
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are doing what they can to make life easier for former first-overall pick Cam Ward. The team wisely used the fourth-overall pick on Ohio State’s Carnell Tate and spent big on Wan’Dale Robinson in free agency. While these two should give Ward enough weapons at wide receiver, they could still use a tight end. Someone like Cole Kmet would make perfect sense as a security blanket for the developing Ward, and a trade shouldn’t cost them anything more than a late-round pick.
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers have done a phenomenal job at building a strong environment for quarterback Bryce Young. Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker are both NFL-caliber starters, and the team acquired a high-upside rookie in Tennessee’s Chris Brazzell. Now, all they need is a reliable tight end. Cole Kmet shouldn’t be the featured part of a passing offense at this stage in his career, but that shouldn’t stop the Panthers from considering a trade. The longtime Bear would be a clear upgrade to this depth chart and give Carolina yet another weapon as they look to repeat as NFC South champions.
