Eyebrows raised in a big way when the Chicago Bears drafted Colston Loveland 10th overall in the draft two months ago. It was only the third time in franchise history they’d selected a tight end in the 1st round. Such a move was doubly surprising since the Bears already had Cole Kmet. Most people feel he is a quality starter. Drafting Loveland felt like a declaration from the new regime that they are looking to replace him. That is when the trade speculation really began to heat up.
Traditional offenses don’t have two primary tight ends. Head coach Ben Johnson has been quick to downplay this problem. He never got to run much “12” personnel in Detroit because the Lions didn’t have two good tight ends. That can finally change with a combination of Kmet and Loveland. Still, the buzz around a trade happening continues to simmer. Cody Benjamin of [CBS Sports](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/five-potential-steelers-targets-to-help-aaron-rodgers-including-current-packers-wide-receivers/) believes the team to watch is the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have questions at tight end.
> “The Bears all but proclaimed a new face of their tight end position by spending a first-round pick on Colston Loveland this year, and while Kmet still has the benefit of legitimate NFL experience, it’s very possible new coach Ben Johnson will lean all the way into Loveland out of the gate. In that case, perhaps the Steelers would be interested in pairing Kmet with Pat Freiermuth, especially if the price is lower than, say, acquiring Kyle Pitts from the Atlanta Falcons. Kmet logged at least 50 catches in three straight seasons from 2021-2023.”
For one, Loveland hasn’t yet returned to 100% from the shoulder injury that ended his final season at Michigan. For another, the Bears believe Cole Kmet serves certain purposes their promising draft doesn’t. He’s a more proven blocker and is highly respected in the locker room as a leader. They already have him under contract on a reasonable deal. He is a local guy the fans love. Unloading him for what would likely be a 3rd or 4th round pick feels unnecessary. The Steelers would have to make a strong offer to change their minds, and that has never been something Pittsburgh is known for. Something would have to change in the coming months. Either the Steelers would have to get desperate, or Kmet’s stock would have to rise. Neither seems plausible at this stage.
