The Chicago Bears may have planned to head into the 2025 season with a 53-man roster that is almost entirely finalized, but recent NFL trade developments could make Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson reconsider that stance.
The Miami Dolphins raised eyebrows across the league when they not only sent future Hall of Fame cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Pittsburgh Steelers via trade, but also included Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith in the deal as well. Miami's tight end room is a threadbare as it gets right now.
Reports suggest that Miami, apparently unconvinced by a UFL-level tight end room of Pharoah Brown and Julian Hill, is shopping around the league to find a replacement for Smith. Chicago will naturally be one of the first teams they check in on due to the unresolved situation surrounding veteran Cole Kmet.
After picking Michigan star Colston Loveland with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Chicago has inadvertently created the league's most popular tight end trade target. Kmet could be had for the right price, and Miami might be willing to meet it.
Dolphins could target Bears TE Cole Kmet after Jonnu Smith, Jalen Ramsey trade
Kmet caught 47 passes for 474 yards and four touchdowns last season, though he is just one season removed from tallying over 700 yards receiving with Justin Fields under center instead of Caleb Williams. He's still productive, and he's a great blocker, but the Loveland pick has thrown his role into chaos.
While Johnson's offense helped turn Sam LaPorta into one of the best performers in the league, his offense didn't often utilize the No. 2 tight end as a frequent passing game weapon. Brock Wright, Detroit's backup to LaPorta last season, caught just 13 passes all year long.
Even if Kmet enters this season as the nominal starter, the Bears didn't use a No. 10 overall pick on Loveland (which is much higher than the consensus had him) to have him back up an average receiving tight end for the duration of his rookie contract. Why not rip the Band-Aid off and get Kmet to a landing spot where he will be targeted often?
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Miami is clearly desperate, as head coach Mike McDaniel and GM Chris Grier could easily be fired with one more poor season. That could force them to pay way more than market value for Kmet. The Bears should pounce if offered any sort of extraordinary return package of picks.