Cole Kmet making positive impression on Bears coaching staff

Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet is entering his third season in the NFL after being selected in the second round of the 2020 draft. He had an encouraging year in 2021, finishing with 60 catches for 612 yards. His receptions and yardage totals were each good for second on the team, trailing only wide receiver Darnell Mooney.

Still, it felt like more was possible from Kmet. He didn’t score a touchdown in 2021 and has just two in his career. For a player lauded as a Rob Gronkowski-type talent, his production as a receiver has fallen short of expectations.

Sometimes it doesn’t matter how talented a player is, though. Few pass-catchers could find success in an offense led by former coach Matt Nagy, whose play-calling was worse than a kid in elementary school smashing buttons on Madden.

Cole Kmet has yet to reach his ceiling

Entering the 2022 season, Kmet’s upside remains high. He just turned 23 in March, and there’s no denying his elite athleticism, as proven by his 8.92 Relative Athletic Score (RAS).

https://ras.football/2020/02/09/cole-kmet-ras/

With new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy calling plays, Kmet’s athleticism and ability as a pass-catcher will be a focal point.

“I’ve been very impressed with Cole,” Getsy said Sunday. “Again that mindset that we’re trying to set, he’s been a great example of that as well. And you go back to that thing we talked about before, just the ability, the flexibility as a player, I think he has all that stuff. So I’m excited to see him have a bunch of different roles in our offense. Some players that are out there they’re kind of like this is what they do well. But I think the more guys that you can get in a system that can do a bunch of different things, the more success you’re going to have and I think Cole is one of those guys.”

It feels like a safe bet to predict a breakout year for Kmet in 2022. His chemistry with quarterback Justin Fields is similar to wide receiver Darnell Mooney’s, and he’ll be a favorite target for the second-year passer as he adjusts to the new faces in the Bears’ receiver room.