The Miami Dolphins made major roster moves this offseason, trading Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers for draft picks and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick returns to Miami, where he was originally drafted in 2018 before playing just a season and a half. Now the franchise faces a critical challenge: finding Smith’s replacement before the 2025 season kicks off.
With Tua Tagovailoa’s health remaining the key to Miami’s success, surrounding him with reliable offensive weapons becomes even more important. The answer to their tight end problem might be sitting on a Chicago Bears roster, waiting for the right trade offer.
Why Could Cole Kmet Be the Perfect Fit for Miami?
Following Smith’s departure to Pittsburgh, Miami quickly moved to sign Darren Waller, bringing the veteran out of retirement after he last played for the New York Giants in 2023. However, many analysts question whether Waller can return to his previous form after a disappointing final season and time away from the game.
That uncertainty has Miami exploring other options, and the Chicago Bears present an intriguing trade partner. Chicago drafted Colston Loveland with the 10th overall pick and plans to hand him the starting tight end role immediately. This move creates an opportunity for Miami to acquire Cole Kmet, who has anchored Chicago’s tight end position for the past five years.
Caleb Williams to Cole Kmet! Bears on the board.
📺: #DETvsCHI on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/5sp2SH8wtV— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2024
Brandon Austin highlighted Kmet’s situation perfectly: “Kmet started all 17 games last season but finished with just 47 receptions for 474 yards and four touchdowns. With Loveland poised to command a significant target share, Kmet, still just 26, could slide further down the pecking order and become a tradable asset given he has three years of team control remaining.”
What Would This Trade Look Like for Both Teams?
According to a PFSN article examining 10 potential trades that could happen during training camp, Miami would likely send a third-round pick to Chicago for Kmet. While he’s never reached 1,000 receiving yards in a single season, Miami’s offensive system could unlock his potential through RPOs and short-to-intermediate routes over the middle.
The numbers from 2024 tell the story of Kmet’s limited role in Chicago’s offense. His 474 receiving yards and four touchdowns reflect a connection with Caleb Williams that never fully developed. With Ben Johnson now coaching the Bears, the spotlight is expected to shift to Loveland, which could push Kmet down the depth chart.
From a financial perspective, the trade makes sense for both organizations. Despite Kmet signing a four-year, $50 million extension in 2023 with $32.79 million guaranteed, moving him wouldn’t create significant salary cap issues for Chicago. Meanwhile, Miami wouldn’t be locked into a long-term commitment if Kmet doesn’t meet expectations in their system.
This potential deal represents the type of win-win scenario that often emerges during training camp, giving Miami a proven tight end while allowing Chicago to fully commit to their rookie’s development.
