Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet received quite a bit of criticism early on in his tenure in the Windy City. The 2020 second-round draft pick didn't develop at the rate most Bears fans had desired through his first two NFL seasons, though some of the blame was placed on Matt Nagy’s restrictive play-calling decisions and lackluster offensive scheme.
When Matt Eberflus came to the helm, Nagy could no longer serve as an excuse for Kmet's shortcomings. After a couple of weeks with the Bears' new regime in place, offensive coordinator Luke Getsy opened up the playbook and Kmet benefitted from it in a big way. The Notre Dame product finished the 2022 campaign with 50 receptions for 544 yards and a career-high seven touchdowns.
Going into this season, fans have high hopes for Kmet.
On the spectrum of NFL tight ends, where does he belong? Per an ESPN survey, Kmet did not crack the top 10 but received an honorable mention. That at least puts him in the top half of the NFL, which represents strong progress for a player that was on the proverbial hot seat a year ago.
Entering a contract season, Kmet's situation should only improve. Justin Fields now has a full offseason working with new downfield threats DJ Moore and Chase Claypool, which will help open up the middle of the field for Kmet.
Furthermore, the Bears have bolstered their offensive line entering the 2023 season. Kmet, typically one of Fields' last progressions, previously had limited opportunities as weak protection frequently caused the elusive QB to tuck and run. More time in the pocket for Fields should result in more attempts for Kmet to make an impact in the passing game.
Lastly, Kmet has been putting in work over the summer. He has been at OTAs and posting other workouts on his social media. Taking all these factors into account, Kmet has an excellent opportunity to improve further and move up the NFL tight end rankings.
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