Bears TE Cole Kmet always thought he would be in Chicago in 2026

When the Chicago Bears selected tight end Colston Loveland in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, many believed Cole Kmet's time with the team was numbered. Everyone except Kmet, that is. The veteran tight end played an integral role on the offense during last year's 11-6 campaign that resulted in an NFC North division title, and that is expected to continue in 2026.

Kmet was back at Halas Hall on Monday for the start of organized team activities (OTAs) and addressed his situation with the media. The 27-year-old is still under contract for two more seasons, but the emergence of Loveland had some believing he would be traded or released to save money. And with Kmet taking a backseat in the passing game, perhaps he would want to be on a team that would feature him more. It turns out neither side wanted to split.

"I thought I did a lot of the things they asked me to do (last year). If you asked me after my exit meeting, I would have told you I didn't feel like I was going anywhere," Kmet said via CHGO Bears.

Those responsibilities included becoming more of a blocking tight end and playing fullback on certain packages while targets and receptions diminished. Kmet had the fewest targets (48), receptions (30), and receiving yards (347) since his rookie season back in 2020. Loveland, meanwhile, became a top receiving option for quarterback Caleb Williams with 58 receptions for 713 yards and six touchdowns.

Though Loveland surpassed Kmet on the pecking order when it comes to receiving production, the Bears still value the veteran as part of their core. Kmet is due $11.6 million in each of the next two seasons as part of the four-year, $50 million extension he signed in 2023. We'll see if the Bears lower that cap hit either with a restructure or another extension, but you can count on No. 85 to be part of the team in 2026, doing everything under the sun to help the offense succeed.