This offseason has been unlike any other in NFL history, where players and coaches have had to work from home through virtual meetings and independent workouts.
For rookies like Chicago’s top draft pick tight end Cole Kmet, it’s been difficult not to get that time during minicamps and organized team activities (OTAs) at Halas Hall to learn the offense.
And while this offseason has been completely virtual, Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky has been organizing workouts with teammates in the Chicago area, where they’ve been working on routes, continuing to build that chemistry and staying in shape.
Kmet has been among a handful of players at these workouts, which have also included receiver Allen Robinson, running backs David Montgomery and Tarik Cohen, as well as fellow tight end Demetrius Harris.
Kmet appeared on a Facebook Live with former Bear Chris Zorich, where they discussed his journey navigating football and baseball from the high school level to his time at Notre Dame to being the Bears’ top draft pick this year.
The Bears’ second-round pick has been trying to keep in shape and learn the playbook as quickly as he can without the benefit of on-field practices at Halas Hall. He’s been praised by Matt Nagy for how quickly he’s grasped the playbook as a rookie, and Kmet feels confident heading into camp.
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“Just kind of working out with some of the guys in the area right now,” Kmet said. “Running routes and that type of stuff and kind of staying in shape that way. We’ve been putting in the work. I’m excited to get getting going on the field with these guys and show them what I can do as a rookie coming in. I’m just going to continue to study up on that playbook, and when camp rolls around, I’m going to be ready to go.”
They also discussed training camp, which is coming up next month. Kmet said the current report date is July 21, which figures to be for rookies. Rookies typically report a few days earlier than veterans, but with the lack of an on-field offseason, perhaps veterans will be allowed back, as well.
Obviously, all of this depends on what the NFL chooses to do. It’s a tentative schedule, but Kmet feels confident that it’s going to happen.
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