Following a season of downright atrocious play from the tight end position, the Chicago Bears saw an uptick in production from the duo of veteran Jimmy Graham and rookie Cole Kmet.
Appearing on NBC Sports Chicago’s Countdown to Kickoff, both Graham and Kmet had nothing but praise for each other. In fact, you could say the pair are sparking quite the bromance. Something Graham hopes continues in 2021.
“I don’t think people realize, truly, just how close me and him had gotten this season,” Graham said. “From the beginning to the end. His hunger to be good, and to be elite, and learn was amazing to see. Then to see his growth from one day to the next was truly awesome to see, as well.”
Here for this @TheJimmyGraham and @ColeKmet #Bromance… #CountdowntoKickoff is on @NBCSChicago NOW Presented by @MillerLite pic.twitter.com/PeL3NfQQ1O
— Bears Talk (@NBCSBears) February 5, 2021
While Graham proved to be a solid free-agent addition for the Bears — scoring eight touchdowns in 2020 — he also proved to be quite the mentor for Chicago’s top draft pick.
“I always said, I enjoyed being on the field with him,” Graham said. “Every time we played in a two tight end set, I took that personal, you know? Because I wanted to make sure I was on that field with him, to enjoy those moments with him. I remember, when he scored and we did that celebration together, we had talked about that weeks before. Those moments like that, those are the moments you live for. I enjoyed playing with him.”
Kmet grew up watching Graham during his prime, and he’s now gotten a chance to learn from one of the best to ever play the position.
“To be able to watch him growing up was special,” Kmet said. “Coming in I didn’t know how that relationship would work out, but it turned into an awesome friendship. He’s a guy I trust ultimately with.”
It typically takes tight ends more time to flourish at the NFL level, but Kmet certainly flashed potential during a rookie season without an entire offseason of preparation. Many are expecting Kmet to take a leap in his second season, and Graham is hoping he’s around to see it.
“The kid is going to be a beast,” Graham said. “The kid really has unlimited potential, and I’m excited to see where he’s headed and hopefully I can still continue to help him get there.”
Graham has been around long enough to understand that, at the end of the day, the NFL is a business. So there’s certainly no promise that he’ll be with the Bears come 2021. Chicago can save $7 million in cap space by parting ways with Graham.
“No matter where I’m at, I’m always going to help him,” Graham said. “I’m always going to be close with him, and he’ll always truly be my little brother.”
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