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Bears Trade Tight End Cole Kmet to Bengals
Kmet poised for fantasy football bounce back with move to Cincinnati
Apr. 15, 2026 at 9:23pm
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A cubist interpretation of a high-stakes NFL matchup, with players and the field deconstructed into a dynamic geometric composition.Green Bay TodayThe Chicago Bears are trading veteran tight end Cole Kmet to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick. Kmet, a former second-round pick, is coming off a solid 2025 season but could find himself in a reduced role with the Bears after the team drafted tight end Colston Loveland in the first round last year. The Bengals are looking to upgrade at tight end after an injury-plagued 2025 campaign for Mike Gesicki, and Kmet could provide a reliable target for quarterback Joe Burrow.
Why it matters
This trade allows the Bears to get value for Kmet and focus on developing Loveland as their tight end of the future, while the Bengals add a proven pass-catcher to their high-powered offense. Kmet's fantasy football value could see a significant boost in Cincinnati's pass-heavy scheme.
The details
In the proposed deal, the Bears will send Kmet to the Bengals in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick and a 2027 second-round selection. Kmet, 27, is signed through the 2027 season and is set to carry an $11.6 million cap hit for the Bears in 2026. With Loveland emerging as the team's tight end of the future, the Bears felt it was the right time to move on from Kmet and recoup some draft capital. For the Bengals, Kmet represents an immediate upgrade over the injury-prone Gesicki and should provide Burrow with another reliable target in the passing game.
- The trade will be completed ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft later this month.
- Kmet is signed through the 2027 season.
The players
Cole Kmet
A 27-year-old tight end who has spent his entire career with the Chicago Bears since being drafted in the second round in 2023. Kmet is coming off a solid 2025 season where he caught 30 passes for 347 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Colston Loveland
The Bears' first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Loveland is viewed as the team's tight end of the future after a promising rookie campaign.
Joe Burrow
The star quarterback of the Cincinnati Bengals, who will be getting a new weapon in Kmet to bolster his passing attack.
Mike Gesicki
The Bengals' current starting tight end, who struggled with injuries in 2025 and could be replaced by the more durable Kmet.
What’s next
The trade will be finalized ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, allowing the Bengals to integrate Kmet into their offense during the offseason program.
The takeaway
This trade represents a win-win for both teams, as the Bears can move on from Kmet and focus on Loveland while the Bengals add a talented tight end to complement their star-studded passing attack led by Burrow.
