Bears’ Cole Kmet sends strong message on TE Colston Loveland

Many expect the Chicago Bears to give Cole Kmet fewer targets in the upcoming season in favor of Colston Loveland. The second-year tight end emerged as a capable starter as the 2025 campaign progressed, earning more minutes from the coaching staff. While the veteran may see him as competition, he instead expressed belief in Loveland.

Kmet appeared in 16 regular-season games last year, including 15 starts. He recorded 30 receptions for 347 yards and two touchdowns. Despite Loveland’s development, he has received praise for remaining professional during training camp.

Meanwhile, Loveland started 11 of the 16 regular-season games he played in 2025. The 22-year-old amassed 58 receptions for 713 yards and six touchdowns. His connection with Caleb Williams will be key for Chicago in its quest to surpass last year’s achievements.

Chicago Bears: Cole Kmet looks forward to Colston Loveland’s 2026 performances

Reporters asked Kmet about his thoughts on how defenses will cover Loveland this coming season. He stressed that he is looking forward to it as the Michigan product is not easy to defend.

“It’s tough because those DVB bodies are not big enough to cover him,” Kmet said. “He’s definitely elusive and and faster than a lot of linebackers you’re gonna see in the NFL, so it’s going to be tough. I’m going to be interested to see how teams go about it, especially if we got 13 out there.

“You got 12 or 13 personnel, you for sure don’t want the backer on them. You don’t want the safety. They go small on us, we’re going to run it down your throat. So he’s definitely a weapon that opens up a lot of things for the offense. And I’ll be interested to see how defensive coordinators handle that throughout the season.”

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Kmet, Loveland and the Bears will open their regular season on Sept. 13 against the Carolina Panthers. However, they still have one preseason game left that they will play on Saturday versus the Tennessee Titans.