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LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 17: General manager Ryan Poles of the Chicago Bears addresses questions after Kevin Warren was introduced as Chicago Bears president and CEO at Halas Hall on January 17, 2023 in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
The Chicago Bears may be heading toward a roster decision they never truly wanted to make.
After an aggressive offseason that reshaped key parts of the roster, Chicago now sits with almost no financial breathing room. That reality is forcing tough conversations, including one involving longtime tight end Cole Kmet. Multiple outlets, including Bleacher Report, have now identified Kmet as a legitimate cut candidate.
This potential decision is not because of a lack of ability, but rather the Bears’ cap situation.
“If the Bears can’t work out a restructure or find a trade partner for Kmet, they can save $9 million by releasing him after June 1,” Kristopher Knox wrote.
That number carries real weight for a team trying to stay flexible. At the same time, the Bears would “probably prefer to trade Cole Kmet or restructure his contract instead of releasing him outright,” reinforcing that this is more about finances than performance.
Cap Pressure Puts Bears Into Corner
This situation is being driven almost entirely by the numbers.
The Bears poured resources into improving a defense that struggled last season, and while those moves addressed clear weaknesses, they came at a cost. Chicago now finds itself near the bottom of the league in available cap space, leaving the front office with limited options to create flexibility.
Kmet’s contract stands out in that context. He still has two years remaining on the four-year, $50 million extension he signed not long ago, and moving on from him would immediately create meaningful savings. A pre-June 1 release would clear around $7.4 million, while a post-June 1 designation could free up closer to $9 million.
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For a team trying to sign its upcoming draft class and add depth, that kind of savings is hard to ignore. And with Chicago still not fully out on a potential blockbuster Maxx Crosby swing, that cap flexibility could matter even more.
Kmet’s Changing Role Complicates Bears Decision
The on-field dynamics have also shifted in a way that makes this conversation more real.
2025 first-round pick Colston Loveland quickly emerged as the primary option at tight end last season, leading the group in production while Kmet’s role noticeably declined.
He finished his rookie season with 58 catches for 713 yards and 6 touchdowns, delivering multiple big performances along the way. His 118-yard, two-touchdown breakout against Cincinnati and 137-yard game against the Packers in the playoffs stands out.
Meanwhile, after years of steady output, Kmet finished last season with just 30 receptions for 347 yards and two touchdowns, one of the least productive years of his career.
That doesn’t mean he can’t still contribute. Around the league, Kmet would likely draw interest as a reliable tight end entering his prime. That’s why a trade remains the cleanest solution for Chicago. It would allow the team to recoup some value while still addressing the cap situation.
But if no deal materializes and a restructure isn’t agreed upon, the Bears may be forced to make a decision they’ve been trying to avoid.