Welcome to the 2026 Chicago Bears Season Preview on Bears By 7, a player-by-player look at the team's roster and their chances.

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Cole Kmet’s 2025 season was a masterclass in playing the role you’re asked to play.

The veteran tight end’s 30 catches and 347 yards were his lowest totals since his rookie year in 2020. He also ceded much of the tight end room’s offensive spotlight to rookie Colston Loveland, who the Bears selected with the 10th overall pick.

Yet it was Kmet’s leadership and versatility that paved the way for Ben Johnson’s system to thrive in just its first year. Kmet was on the field for 768 snaps — a total only second to DJ Moore among pass catchers — and turned in a solid 71.7 pass blocking grade according to Pro Football Focus. That dependability was instrumental in Johnson’s two- and three-tight end sets, particularly as Loveland began learning at the professional level.

And it’s not like Kmet’s completely disappeared from the big moments. His touchdown grab in the corner of the end zone from Caleb Williams sent the Rams playoff game to overtime. It also gave him a career highlight that will be tough to ever top.

This offseason told us all we needed to know about how Johnson and the Bears coaching staff feel about Kmet.

But those feelings could come with a deadline.