Bears connected to big Chiefs trade that would answer major question

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Bears connected to big Chiefs trade that would answer major question

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Matthew Schmidt | Last updated May 7, 2026 2:34 PM ET

The Chicago Bears didn’t really add many pieces to the offense this offseason. In fact, they subtracted a couple of significant ones in wide receivers D.J. Moore and Olamide Zacchaeus.

This has some wondering if Caleb Williams will have enough weapons at his disposal heading into 2026, although the Bears seem pretty confident in the receiver duo of Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III. They also love tight end Colston Loveland.

But what about fellow tight end Cole Kmet? Is he still going to languish as Chicago’s No. 2 option at the position? Or will the Bears send him elsewhere?

Kmet has been tabbed as a trade candidate all offseason, but Chicago has yet to make a move on him. However, many still feel that the Bears could potentially ship out the former second-round pick at some point this offseason, which would completely clear the way for Loveland.

In fact, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox has pitched an intriguing destination for Kmet: the Kansas City Chiefs.

Chicago Bears could find a trade partner in the Kansas City Chiefs

Nov 9, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) runs after a catch against the Carolina Panthers during the third quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports

The Chiefs obviously have Travis Kelce manning the tight end spot right now, but Kelce has been going year to year. The 2026 campaign could be his last, so they will need a successor.

Kansas City surprisingly didn’t pick up a tight end in the NFL Draft, leaving Andy Reid’s club wide open to possibly adding an established player like Kmet.

Remember: there was a time when Kmet was one of the top weapons in the Bears’ offense. In 2023, he hauled in 73 receptions for 719 yards and six touchdowns and appeared to be on his way to solidifying himself as one of the best tight ends in football.

But once Williams arrived on the scene in 2024, Kmet’s role changed drastically. He has never been able to develop a great rapport with the young quarterback, even during Williams’ rookie campaign when Loveland wasn’t on the scene yet.

Last season, Kmet caught 30 passes for 347 yards and a couple of scores, his lowest marks since his rookie season in 2020. It’s clear that he has become nothing more than an ancillary piece on Chicago’s offense, so trading him for some draft capital — and saving some money in the process — would be the best move at this point.

The Chiefs would probably be willing to trade a Day 3 pick for Kmet.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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