The Bears are taking an interesting approach to finally getting tight end right.
After the recent release of Trey Burton, Bears general manager Ryan Pace added one more member to the teams’ tight end clown car by selecting Notre Dame’s Cole Kmet in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the No. 43 overall pick.
Chicago now has 10 tight ends on its roster.
The position remains a point of contention for the Bears. Kmet, 21, joins veteran Jimmy Graham — who signed a two-year, $16 million contract this offseason — as well as 2017 second-rounder Adam Shaheen, Demetrius Harris (acquired this offseason), Ben Braunecker, Darion Clark, J.P. Holtz, Horsted, Dax Raymond and Eric Saubert. Graham appears to be the clear-cut starter right now, but there could be a heck of a contest for roster spots after that.
Burton, 28, was signed back in 2018 to a four-year, $32 million deal. He did not play in 2019, however, and was released with a “failed physical” designation last week, ending a disappointing two-year stint.
“It would be a childhood dream come true to play for the Bears,” Kmet told The Athletic this week.
The 6-foot-6, 262-pound prospect was the first tight end drafted after starting just one year at Notre Dame. The Chicago-area native tallied 60 receptions, 691 yards and six touchdowns in his final year and recorded a 4.7 second 40-yard dash at the 2020 NFL Combine in February.
“HOME!!!!!!” Kmet tweeted shortly after the selection accompanied by a “Da Bears” gif.
The Bears, who lost their first-round pick in the Khalil Mack trade, selected Utah cornerback Jaylon Johnson with their next pick at 50th overall.
They own five picks total on Saturday — one fifth-round pick (No. 163), two sixth-round picks (No. 196 and 200) and two seventh-round picks (No. 226 and No. 223).