Dec 22, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) reacts after making a touchdown catch against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images

Chicago Bears: Cole Kmet Finally Speaks Up On What He Felt After Colston Loveland Pick

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Rex Villas | Last updated Jun 4, 2025 8:46 AM ET

The Chicago Bears are getting down to work in preparation for what should be another intriguing season. For one, they have a new head coach in Ben Johnson, who brings with him the promise to turn things around in Windy City. The 2025 season is also going to be the second in the NFL for quarterback Caleb Williams.

Coming from the Detroit Lions, who had a high-flying offense in 2024, one that topped the rest of the NFL with an average of 33.1 points per game, Johnson is looking to spark a big turnaround for the Bears’ offense.

Tight end Cole Kmet will be among the players to watch out for in 2025, as fans are eager to see whether he’ll have a bounce-back campaign after recording just 464 receiving yards – his lowest since his sophomore season in 2021 – to go with four touchdowns and 47 receptions on 55 targets in 17 games.

Chicago Bears TE sounds off on Loveland pick

Kmet’s chances to rebound from a letdown 2024 season appear to have taken a bit of a blow when the Bears used a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft on a tight end, selecting Colston Loveland of the Michigan Wolverines as the class’s 10th selection overall.

I think at first, you’re taken aback a little bit,” Kmet said of the time he learned of the pick (h/t Nick Shook of NFL.com).

However, Kmet also shared that Johnson was able to let him see the bigger picture.

“But Ben (Johnson) was awesome about it in terms of calling me right away explaining the decision. From there you’re just all on board and you understand their vision. You understand that there’s going to be areas where we complement each other, then there’s obviously — just like an any position room — there’s going to be areas where we compete for things.

“That’s football and that’s how it should be. I’m excited about it. I’m excited to not only push him but then for him to push me. We’re going to make each other better. I think the goal with it is to become the best 12 (personnel) tandem in the league and see where we can take it from there.”

The Bears surely have a plan for Loveland, given the big investment they spent to get him. In his final two seasosn in Ann Arbor, he had 1,231receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 101 receptions in 25 games.

Jun 3, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) speaks during minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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