Cole Kmet

Career StatsB

Year	Team	GP	Rec	Yards	TD
Career		100	288	2,939	21
2025		16	30	347	2
2024		17	47	474	4
2023		17

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Chicago Bears got a C+ Contract Value Index out of the Cole Kmet signing because the guaranteed money matches the production tier. At $12.5 million annually over four years, Kmet's deal sits squarely at market rate for a tight end of his caliber — a reliable starter with 347 receiving yards in 2025 across 16 games, but one who has never cracked the upper tier of his position. The contract itself is neither a bargain nor an albatross; it represents fair value for a six-year veteran at 27 years old whose production has been competent and durable without breaking through to Pro Bowl or All-Pro distinction. What complicates the value picture is the organizational uncertainty layered atop these numbers: the Bears' recent transaction activity — focused on defensive and offensive line reinforcements, paired with explicit trade exploration involving Kmet — signals that front office confidence in him has waned, making it difficult to assess whether the team will extract four more years of above-average output or face a decline in return on capital. The C+ verdict reflects that the dollars and production align fairly today, but the organizational drift and trade-market speculation create genuine downside risk that a less divisive starter might not carry. Unless Kmet lands with a team that views him as a long-term cornerstone, this contract will likely be shed or traded before its full term, reducing its ultimate value to the Bears.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Cole's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Cole Kmet is an established sixth-year tight end for the Chicago Bears who has carved out a reliable mid-tier role in their passing game. The 27-year-old veteran carries a B performance grade anchored by a strong track record over six seasons and 100 games played. He remains a consistent option in Chicago's offense, though recent production trends suggest he's operating below his established baseline. Kmet's receiving efficiency stands out as a genuine strength this season, averaging 11.6 yards per reception against an NFL average of 9.19 yards. His per-game volume of 21.7 receiving yards exceeds the league average of 10.67, demonstrating he's still generating explosive plays when targeted. However, touchdown production remains pedestrian at 0.13 per game, matching the NFL average and falling well short of elite tier production at 0.47 per game—a notable weakness for a pass-catcher of his draft investment and experience level. The concerning trend is Kmet's recent trajectory, dipping from a B grade in 2023 to a C+ in 2024 and now a C in 2025. This downward arc warrants monitoring, though his career body of work suggests temporary underperformance rather than fundamental decline. If Kmet can recapture end-zone efficiency and stabilize his current receiving volume, he could reverse course and return to his B-tier floor in 2026.

How Cole Compares at the Position

Cole Kmet ranks 27th of 164 graded tight ends by performance. That slots Cole between Theo Johnson (B) just ahead and Dawson Knox (B) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Cole Kmet enters 2026 as a reliable, established tight end for the Chicago Bears with six years of NFL experience and a mid-tier contract reflecting his status as a consistent starter. Media coverage is notably positive, framing 2026 as a career-defining season while emphasizing the Bears' confidence in retaining him and their newly ranked best-in-NFL tight end room. The absence of Pro Bowl or All-Pro accolades keeps him in the solid starter category, but recent headlines suggest organizational and fan optimism about his role in the Bears' offensive future. Trade speculation has been dismissed by beat reporters, indicating stability and front-office commitment. Overall perception reflects a well-regarded, dependable contributor positioned for a meaningful 2026 campaign, though he remains outside the elite tier of NFL tight ends.