The Chicago Bears and tight end Cole Kmet agreed to a four-year, $50 million contract extension ahead of the team’s first training camp practice, according to multiple NFL reports.
The deal includes $32.8 million guaranteed and $20 million in new first-year cash. The $12.5 million average annual value Kmet is getting is tied with New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry for ninth-most among tight ends, while the $32.8 million guaranteed is the fifth-most at the position.
“It’s just amazing,” Kmet said. “This whole thing from the beginning has been a dream come true. Just being drafted here first and being able to get an extension done and agree to terms on that is amazing. Looking forward to it and looking forward to the things that come with it — and many playoff appearances and Super Bowls to come.”
Kmet, who was entering the final year of his rookie deal, said contact talks began toward the end of OTAs and intensified over the past few days. He received a call from his representation 20 minutes before practice started on July 26 that a deal had been agreed upon.
NFL NEWS & RUMORS: Cole Kmet & Chicago Bears Updates
“Just relief,” Kmet said upon finding out the extension was done. “Hard to focus on everything going on with stuff like that, getting phone calls all the time about it. It was nice to get to practice and start focusing on the things that matter.”
Kmet, 24, had 50 receptions last season for 544 yards and seven touchdowns in 17 games. In 50 games with the Bears, Kmet has 138 receptions for 1,399 yards and nine touchdowns.
NFL NEWS & RUMORS: Cole Kmet & Chicago Bears Updates
“He’s a pro,” Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said about Kmet. “He’s a guy that can be trusted. He’s a fantastic teammate with him just leading by example. We talk about modeling the behavior you want to see, talk about his practice habits, how he is in meetings, how he works with other players, how he works with the coaches, how he leads in times of adversity. He does all those things and I think that’s what makes him a good leader.”
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