Cole Kmet shares honest reaction to Bears drafting Colston Loveland

The Chicago Bears made a splash when they drafted tight end Colston Loveland with the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. Tight end wasn't the biggest need on the roster, but Loveland was just too good for general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson to pass up.

Meanwhile, veteran tight end Cole Kmet has quietly been one of the team's most consistent players since he was drafted in the second round in 2020, which earned him a three-year contract extension that keeps him in Chicago through 2027. But there was some speculation about Kmet's future after the Bears drafted Loveland in the first round.

Kmet recently shared his honest reaction to the Loveland pick, where he admitted he was initially surprised but now understands Johnson's vision with a 1-2 punch at tight end.

“I think at first, you're taken aback a little bit," Kmet said. "But Ben was awesome about it in terms of calling me right away explaining the decision. From there you're just all on board and you understand their vision. You understand that there's going to be areas where we complement each other, then there's obviously – just like an any position room – there's going to be areas where we compete for things.

"That's football and that's how it should be. I'm excited about it. I'm excited to not only push him but then for him to push me. We're going to make each other better. I think the goal with it is to become the best 12 (personnel) tandem in the league and see where we can take it from there.”

During his time with the Detroit Lions, Johnson used 12 personnel often, and that's the expectation in Chicago with the power duo of Kmet and Loveland. The Bears have no shortage of weapons for quarterback Caleb Williams, and defenses are going to have to pick their poison between Kmet and Loveland, who are both threats in the passing game.

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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Cole Kmet shares honest reaction to Bears drafting Colston Loveland