Bears won’t – Chicago is hearing louder chatter about a potential Cole Kmet trade, with hypothetical offers landing him with the Panthers or Chiefs—or in broader draft swings involving the Ravens and Dolphins. Bears insider Courtney Cronin says Kmet isn’t going anywhere unl
The idea of moving Cole Kmet is starting to pick up steam in Chicago, but for the Bears, the door isn’t open—at least not yet.
Rumors have grown as Colston Loveland’s emergence and the addition of Sam Roush have reshaped how people view the Bears’ tight end room. From there. insiders floated several hypothetical trade scenarios. with Kmet’s name attached to landing spots that would want a proven veteran at the position. Among the proposed destinations were the Carolina Panthers and the Kansas City Chiefs. both of which were described as willing to surrender 2027 third-round picks.
Other teams were discussed with different valuation structures. The Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins were also linked to broader Day 2 and Day 4 draft compensation packages in the speculation.
But Bears insider Courtney Cronin put a sharp limit on how far that chatter can go. Chicago, she says, has little interest in moving Kmet unless a trade delivers a legitimate pass-rushing difference-maker in return.
That stance speaks to what the Bears are trying to protect entering a pivotal season: an offense that has to stabilize around Caleb Williams. Kmet remains one of the roster’s most reliable safety valves and one of the offense’s best blocking tight ends. Even after his production dipped last season following Loveland’s arrival. he’s still valued for versatility and durability. roles the Bears don’t seem eager to gamble with.
The tension here isn’t about whether Kmet can be traded in theory. It’s about what Chicago is willing to risk when the team is aiming to compete in 2026 rather than cash out on draft capital.
A key detail in the “what if” discussions is the draft situation in Chicago. Seth Walder’s proposed Dolphins package—featuring 2027 fourth- and sixth-round selections—keeps coming up as the sort of return that could intrigue a team looking for high-value picks. The reason is straightforward: Miami is projected to be one of the league’s weaker teams entering the season. and the Bears currently lack a fifth-round selection after the Garrett Bradbury trade. Picks at that level could end up mattering.
Still, the Bears’ practical line remains the same. Cronin’s point is that draft compensation alone isn’t enough if the trade weakens the offensive infrastructure that the team believes it needs.
Kmet’s place in that plan is also backed by what he’s done on the field. He was selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame, and he has appeared in 100 regular-season games. Over that span, he has totaled 288 receptions, 2,939 receiving yards, and 21 touchdowns.
The result is a trade market that keeps churning out scenarios—but a Bears front office that appears to be listening for one type of deal only: one that changes the pass rush in a way Chicago can feel immediately.
Cole Kmet Chicago Bears NFL rumors trade rumors Courtney Cronin Caleb Williams Colston Loveland Sam Roush Carolina Panthers Kansas City Chiefs Baltimore Ravens Miami Dolphins 2027 third-round pick 2027 fourth-round pick 2027 sixth-round pick Garrett Bradbury