Cole Kmet

Cole Kmet was born on March 10, 1999 in Chicago, Illinois to a family already entrenched in sports. His father, Frank Kmet, was drafted into the NFL in 1992, and his uncle, Jeff Zgonina, had an illustrious career in the same league.

Growing up, Kmet attended St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights, Illinois, where he was an accomplished athlete, excelling in baseball and football. During his senior year, he made a significant impact as a football player, successfully making 48 receptions for 773 yards and scoring four touchdowns. His skills landed him a spot in the 2017 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, which brought attention to his abilities and secured his place as one of the top prospects in the nation.

Kmet made the decision to take his talents to the University of Notre Dame, where he played college football with aplomb. As a true freshman in 2017, he appeared in all 13 games and made two noteworthy receptions for 14 yards. His sophomore year saw an increase in action as he participated in 11 games, making 15 receptions for 162 yards.

During his junior year in 2019, Kmet took over as the starting tight end. Despite missing the first three games of the season due to a broken collarbone, he managed to have a successful year. He initially announced his decision to return for his senior season, but later decided to enter the NFL Draft.

Apart from his football career, Kmet was also a baseball pitcher at Notre Dame. In his 2018 freshman season, he appeared in 26 games, finishing with an impressive record of 2–5, a 5.05 earned run average (ERA), and 39 strikeouts. Kmet’s sophomore baseball season, however, was hampered by an arm injury, which limited his appearances to just eight games.

Kmet’s exceptional skills in football landed him a position in the 2020 NFL Draft. CBS Sports ranked him as the best tight end prospect, while Pro Football Focus placed him as the second-best. These high rankings led to the Chicago Bears selecting him in the second round with the 43rd overall pick. His addition to the team came via a transaction where the Bears acquired Khalil Mack and Kmet’s slot from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for two first-round picks.

On July 21, 2020, he signed his first professional contract, a four-year rookie contract with the Chicago Bears. Kmet’s rookie season in the NFL was notable for his contributions as a blocker. His first NFL reception was a 12-yard catch in Week 2 against the New York Giants, and he scored his first touchdown four games later against the Carolina Panthers. In 2021, he recorded 60 catches for 612 yards over the course of the 17 games he played for the Bears.

Kmet’s performance continued to improve in 2022, as he made 50 catches for 544 yards and seven touchdowns, leading the Bears in receptions, receiving touchdowns, and receiving yards.

The Bears recognized Kmet’s talent and dedication, rewarding him with a four-year, $50 million contract extension on July 26, 2023. That season, Kmet finished with 73 catches for 719 yards and six touchdowns in all 17 games.

In both his high school, college, and professional career, Kmet has consistently proven to be a versatile player, with abilities ranging from making powerful blocks to embarking on surprising routes. His duality in being able to excel in both football and baseball also speaks to his remarkable athleticism. With time on his side, the sky appears to be the limit for this young, talented tight end.