Consistent weapon on the Chicago Bears offense has an opportunity to break out on the national stage in new system
The Chicago Bears offense is going to have a different feel about it in 2024 and it's not because of the change made at the quarterback position this offseason.Under new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, the Bears are expected to become a much more pass-oriented offense compared to the run-heavy scheme the unit ran over the […]
The Chicago Bears offense is going to have a different feel about it in 2024 and it's not because of the change made at the quarterback position this offseason.
Under new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, the Bears are expected to become a much more pass-oriented offense compared to the run-heavy scheme the unit ran over the last two seasons.
The result will make the unit a lot more explosive and dynamic, especially with all the weapons Waldron has at his disposal. One of the Bears longest-tenured weapons will see the biggest improvement in his game under Waldron that will help lead to some more national recognition coming his way.
This week, ESPN has been ranking various Top-10 lists at each position group voted on by NFL executives, coaches, and scouts. Today, the list broke down the top tight ends in the league and listed Bears Cole Kmet as an honorable mention to the Top-10, but one notable league member believes that could change as soon as this year.
"Very underrated," an NFL personnel evaluator said about Kmet. "We just don't know a lot about him because of Chicago's passing game. He's solid all-around."
Kmet is coming off one of the best seasons of his young career after totaling a career-high 719 receiving yards along with having six touchdowns. This came after the Bears extended Kmet during last offseason to a massive 4-year, $50 million contract.
That contract has Kmet ranked eighth at the position in per year value and the highest salary at the position this season as of now, per Spotrac. That's how highly the Bears front office and coaching staff view his impact on the team, even if the national landscape hasn't caught on to it.
However, they will by the time this upcoming season comes to a close. The offense Waldron is bringing to Chicago is very tight end friendly and will have more opportunities for Kmet to see the ball in the passing game.
"I think the way he uses tight ends is really cool," Kmet said while appearing on the "Up and Adams Show" with Kay Adams earlier this offseason. "He really schemes it up for your skillset. I'm excited to get in camp and show him what I can do and how we can formulate the best offense possible this season."
Kmet isn't the only tight end on the Bears roster looking to make a major impact. The Bears also reunited Waldron with one of his former tight ends in Gerald Everett to give the unit two very productive receiving targets at the position
“[Everett] is really familiar with the offense and with Shane, going back to L.A.,” Kmet said, via ChicagoBears.com. “He’s a good pass-catching tight end, very athletic, good at yards per catch. We’re looking forward to getting to work with him and play with him. That should be a good 1-2 punch at tight end.”
Both Kmet and Everett should be in for a monster year playing under Waldron's scheme. It's just a matter of what those numbers will actually look like considering how many mouths the team will need to feed this season. Even still, with another big year production-wise, Kmet should start seeing some more consistent recognition going forward in his career.
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