In what was supposed to be a crucial offseason for Cole Kmet to cement his place as a cornerstone of the Chicago Bears’ offense, things have taken a frustrating turn for the tight end. Reports from inside Halas Hall indicate that Kmet has encountered multiple setbacks in his offseason preparations, sparking concern among coaches and fans alike.
Kmet, coming off a productive 2024 campaign where he notched 71 receptions, 689 yards, and 6 touchdowns, was viewed as one of the few consistent performers on a Bears offense that struggled with identity issues for most of the season. With a revamped quarterback room and new offensive coordinator Brent Hawkins taking the reins, Kmet was expected to thrive as a security blanket and red-zone weapon.
However, those expectations have hit a snag. Sources close to the team report that Kmet has been dealing with lingering lower-body soreness that has limited his participation in voluntary OTAs and raised eyebrows heading into mandatory minicamp. Though the team has not officially disclosed an injury, insiders suggest the Bears are taking a cautious approach to avoid exacerbating a condition that could worsen under training camp intensity.
It’s not just physical obstacles hindering Kmet’s offseason. Several insiders have hinted at growing frustration from the player himself, as communication breakdowns and a lack of clarity regarding his role in the new offensive scheme have become points of tension. While Hawkins’ system is expected to utilize tight ends more dynamically, Kmet has reportedly expressed concern about being marginalized in favor of quicker, hybrid-style options the Bears have experimented with during spring workouts.
Adding fuel to the fire is the sudden rise of second-year tight end Jaheim Burgess, whose impressive speed and fluid route running have turned heads. Burgess has been taking significant first-team reps during Kmet’s limited availability, and the coaching staff has been vocal about “evaluating all options” heading into the preseason.
For Kmet, this offseason was supposed to be about leadership and building momentum. Instead, it has devolved into a murky chapter of stalled progress, rising competition, and uncertain fit in a transforming offensive landscape. As training camp looms, all eyes in Chicago will be on whether the Bears’ trusted tight end can rebound from this rough stretch or if the winds of change will leave him behind.
The Bears are publicly downplaying the situation, but privately there’s growing urgency for Kmet to step up and assert himself. Whether this becomes a minor blip or the beginning of a changing of the guard remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the quiet tensions surrounding Cole Kmet are no longer whispers—they’re alarms.