Breaking News: Another shocking exit from Chicago Bears: barely a minute ago, their star RB Travis Homer formally turned down a new contract extension with Chicago Bears, leaving to join Washington Commanders The 26 years-old appeared to be waving good-bye
The Bears continued to add on the offensive side of the ball early in the draft with their first three picks going to that side. Colston Loveland, Luther Burden III, and Ozzy Trapilo should all be heavily involved in the offense this season under new head coach Ben Johnson.
The offensive line was shored up earlier this offseason via two trades for Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, who both should be the starting guards to begin the year.
The Bears’ offense is loaded with talent now, but there is only one ball to go around.
Cole Kmet May Be the Odd Man Out on Offense
Tight end Cole Kmet is coming off his worst year since his rookie season, having only caught 47 balls for 474 yards and four touchdowns.
Anyone who watched a Bears game last season, however, can vouch that it was more often a terrible gameplan versus Kmet underperforming. He was never a big part of the focus and Caleb Williams never got on the same page with him consistently.
The Bears selected Colston Loveland 10th overall so he will definitely play a huge role in the offense, but it will be interesting to see how Johnson deploys him and Kmet. The obvious thought is the Bears can utilize 12 personnel (two wide receivers, two tight ends, and one running back) much more as they will have two solid tight end options.
The Lions ran 12 personnel 32% of the time last season, the third highest in the league. Detroit’s offensive line and running back room was much better than the Bears’, however, so they relied on running the ball — whereas this offense may be looking to put the ball in the air more with the pass-catching weapons they have.
Luther Burden III can potentially throw a wrench in those 12 persoannel plans. The offense on paper has all the players to create mismatches everywhere, but the fact of the matter is they quite literally cannot have all of them on the field at all times. Kmet is not going to provide the route-running and receiving threat that Loveland and Burden will, but he is still a very big body that can threaten zone coverages.
D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze, Burden and Loveland provide a much scarier looking offense than one with Kmet on the field. I would not be surprised to see Kmet on the field much more on earlier downs than third and in obvious passing situations where Loveland would give the offense a better look.
It is not difficult to visualize a scenario in which Kmet may begin the year as the starting tight end, but seeing his snap total continue to decline as the year goes on. This is definitely a good problem to have, yet the future of Kmet on this team is one to keep an eye on