Bears Trade Pitch Flips $50 Million Starter, Clears Space for Breakout Rookie

The Chicago Bears restocked the offense around quarterback Caleb Williams during the offseason, so much so that the new additions could squeeze out some of the skill-position players already on the roster.

Perhaps the best example is tight end Cole Kmet, who has consistently been one of the offense’s top targets over the last several years. However, new head coach Ben Johnson selected Colston Loveland with the No. 10 pick in April’s NFL draft, which creates a load of talent in a position group that continues to grow in usage and importance across the league, though also a significant increase in salary committed to the tight end room in Chicago.

Kmet is entering the second season of a four-year deal worth $50 million in 2025, while Loveland just inked a four-year rookie contract worth $27 million. Johnson showed an affinity for two-tight end sets over the past three seasons as the offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions, but the Bears could increase the value quotient at the position by trading Kmet for a strong draft asset(s) and replacing him with a younger, less expensive player — even if that player isn’t as talented and/or currently productive as Kmet.

Dolphins-Steelers Trade Involving Jonnu Smith Opens Market for Bears to Move Cole Kmet

GettyTight end Jonnu Smith, formerly of the Miami Dolphins.

An opportunity for Chicago to move Kmet opened up on Monday, June 30, after the Miami Dolphins sent Jonnu Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers as part of a larger deal that swapped star cornerback Jalen Ramsey for star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported following that transaction that the Dolphins are actively seeking a trade for Smith’s replacement.

“The #Dolphins are now in conversations with multiple teams about acquiring a tight end after sending Jonnu Smith to Pittsburgh, per sources,” Pelissero wrote on X. “A wild start to the holiday week could get wilder.”

Cole Kmet Should Have Strong Trade Value on Current Market

GettyChicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet.

What Kmet might bring back in a deal is unclear.

He has averaged north of 50 catches and 500 receiving yards in each of his first five seasons and has 19 receiving TDs to boot.

Kmet, 26, has never put up a season as good as the one that Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts, a former No. 4 overall pick, produced in his rookie campaign — 68 receptions for 1,026 yards, though only one touchdown. However, Kmet has been healthier and more productive than Pitts in the three years since, including the last two campaigns in which they each played all 17 regular-season games in both years.

Kmet has amassed 120 catches for 1,193 receiving yards and 10 TDs since the start of 2023, while Pitts tallied 100 receptions for 1,269 receiving yards and 7 TDs over the same span.

Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report compiled a list of hypothetical trade packages for Pitts on May 30, most of which included multiple quality draft assets. One package saw the New England Patriots flip third- and fourth-round selections for Pitts plus tight end Austin Hooper, while a second had the Washington Commanders sending Atlanta third-rounders in 2026 and 2027 for Pitts entering the final year of his rookie contract (a fifth-year team option worth $10.9 million).

Kmet doesn’t have the same athletic upside as Pitts, but he’s been more available and just as good over the past three seasons. He is also only two years older and slightly cheaper next season.

As such, and considering the current demand for tight ends across the NFL, there is no reason Kmet shouldn’t command a future third-round selection and a Day-3 asset of some kind — perhaps a fifth- or a sixth-round pick.