Chicago Bears rookie tight end Cole Kmet is off to a slow start this year, totaling just three targets, one catch, and 12 yards through five games.
Not exactly the production you’d expect from a player selected 43rd overall at a position of weakness on offense.
Bears fans are beginning to grow frustrated with Kmet’s disappearing act, especially with his college teammate, wide receiver Chase Claypool, looking like the next coming of Calvin Johnson for the Steelers. Claypool was still available in the second round when the Bears selected Kmet.
Regardless of Kmet’s production (or lack thereof), Bears coaches aren’t concerned. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
“The worst thing you can do with any young player is just assume that that is not important — to grow and have time to get their feet wet and develop,” tight ends coach Clancy Barone said. “I have no worries. And the big thing is Cole has no worries. Jimmy Graham has no worries. (Demetrius) Harris has no worries about Cole. Everyone is on the Cole Kmet train. There are no worries there whatsoever.”
Sure, it’s good news that Bears coaches and players believe in Kmet, but at some point, he has to show why there’s so much confidence in him. He has to make a play — any play — that confirms he is the ‘Baby Gronk’ he was touted to be during the run-up to the 2020 NFL draft.
There may be less urgency for Kmet to produce right away because of Graham’s hot start to the 2020 season. Graham has 17 catches for 169 yards and four touchdowns. He’s been a stable veteran presence so far this year, but at some point, the torch has to be passed.
The future of the position belongs to Kmet, and he’ll need to prove he can handle that responsibility this year.
