Chicago Bears sign tight end Cole Kmet to four-year, $50 million extension

The Chicago Bears went big on Wednesday with an extension for tight end Cole Kmet. The former second-round draft pick signed an extension to his rookie contract for four years, $50 million.

Kmet’s new deal puts him among the league’s top-10 highest-paid tight ends, with a yearly average similar to Patriots’ Hunter Henry and Falcons’ Jonnu Smith‘s deals.

Kmet has hauled in 138 passes for 1,399 yards and nine touchdowns in his first three seasons with the Bears. Last season, he had a career-high seven touchdown grabs. In his rookie year, he had 28 receptions for 243 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Kmet’s rookie deal was for four years and $7.57 million.

The 24-year-old tight end, drafted No. 43 overall by the Chicago Bears in the 2020 NFL Draft, worked over the spring to complete his degree from Notre Dame. NBC Chicago reported that he was nine hours shy of his degree in political science and living with his younger brother, Casey Kmet, in downtown South Bend.

In three seasons with the Irish, Cole caught 60 receptions for 691 yards and six touchdowns.

Bears begin training camp indoors

Kmet’s deal was the first extension done for general manager Ryan Poles. The new GM spoke about the team’s potential this season at opening press conferences on Tuesday.

“I don’t want to put a ceiling on what we can be, but I know our goal is to always win the division and be a championship-caliber team,” Poles said. “… I’m happy with where we’re at right now and where we’re going.”

The Bears, led by quarterback Justin Fields, went 3-14 last season with a last-place finish in the NFC North. Still, hopes are high.

“Everybody around here has the same goal,” Fields said. “… We all know what the ultimate goal is and that is to win the Super Bowl.”

As one of the most electric and dynamic quarterbacks in the league, Fields was reportedly approached to be on season two of Peyton Manning-produced Netflix series Quarterback.

The former Ohio State star turned down the offer of having cameras follow him around all season while he’s trying to get something going.

“Having cameras around the building, that might change the vibe of everyone,” Fields told the media on Tuesday. “I just want to keep it natural and organic and really just focus on what’s going on in the building.”

The Bears begin training camp practices on Wednesday. Unfortunately, due to poor air quality in the area, the team has to shift the first practice indoors, instead of practicing outside.