Shock Trade Shakes Up NFL Offseason: Bears Send Cole Kmet to Buccaneers
The Chicago Bears are reportedly moving veteran tight end Cole Kmet to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round draft pick. The proposed trade, floated by league analysts, highlights Chicago’s growing salary cap issues and a shifting offensive hierarchy that has seen Kmet’s role diminish behind rising prospect Colston Loveland.
ChiCitySports
At 26, Kmet brings reliable hands and experience to a Tampa Bay offense looking to add weapons and tighten its scoring opportunities. For the Bears, the deal isn’t just about draft capital — moving the tight end helps free up crucial cap space as the franchise balances contracts and builds around young talent.
The Pewter Plank
While only a fifth-rounder in return, the trade signals a broader roster reset for Chicago and a fresh opportunity for Kmet to make an impact in a new system. League insiders suggest the move could reshape both teams’ offseason strategies as free agency and draft plans continue to take shape.