Chicago’s tight end situation continues evolving as the Bears navigate a two-player rotation at the position. Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet head into Black Friday with contrasting production profiles over recent weeks. Which Bears tight end warrants fantasy football consideration for Week 13?
Colston Loveland’s Fantasy Outlook
Loveland finally overtook Kmet in snap share during Week 12, playing 65% of the snaps while posting a 68.4% route participation rate. This marked the first time he led the tight end room in both categories with Kmet fully healthy and active. His snap count has trended upward consistently, playing at least 60% of offensive snaps in every game since the bye week.
The production reached a season-high against Pittsburgh (in games where Kmet was active), catching four of five targets for 49 yards and a touchdown. Those 14.9 fantasy points represented his best output of the campaign excluding the one game Kmet missed entirely. His 14.2% target share demonstrated increased trust from Caleb Williams despite limited overall passing volume.
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His elite upside became undeniable during Week 9 when Kmet exited with a concussion in the second quarter against Cincinnati. Loveland exploded for six receptions on seven targets for 118 yards and two touchdowns. The 29.8 fantasy points included a game-winning 58-yard touchdown catch with 17 seconds remaining that showcased his tackle-breaking ability.
The slow start to his season created frustration for fantasy managers who believed in his talent. Loveland didn’t catch more than three passes in any game until Week 9. His route participation remained inconsistent early while the coaching staff brought him along gradually as a pass-catcher, though he contributed as a blocker throughout.
Cole Kmet’s Fantasy Outlook
Kmet has fallen completely off the fantasy radar despite maintaining meaningful playing time. He operates as the very distant sixth option in Chicago’s passing attack, receiving minimal targets even when on the field. Kmet posted fewer than 3.0 fantasy points in five of his last six games.
The veteran tight end saw just one target in Week 12 against the Steelers despite playing a significant snap count. His role has devolved primarily into blocking assignments and functioning as a safety valve rather than a featured receiver. Kmet caught eight passes on eight targets for just 53 receiving yards over his last three contests combined.
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Kmet’s name appears here merely as context for understanding Loveland’s situation. He represents a talented player whose offensive role no longer provides any path to fantasy relevance. The Bears utilize him extensively in the running game as a blocker and occasionally in the flat on short routes, but those touches rarely generate meaningful yardage.
His presence continues hindering Loveland’s breakout by occupying snaps that could go to the more dynamic option. Kmet still plays over 60% of offensive snaps most weeks, preventing Loveland from securing the three-down role that would unlock consistent TE1 production. Until that dynamic shifts further, both tight ends remain stuck in fantasy limbo.
Should You Start Loveland or Kmet This Week?
Philadelphia presents one of the league’s toughest matchups for tight ends. The Eagles allow the second-fewest schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to the position. Just under 14% of Philadelphia’s total receiving yards allowed goes to tight ends, the second-lowest rate in the NFL behind only Buffalo. The Eagles’ aggressive coverage schemes and athletic linebacker corps have consistently neutralized opposing tight ends throughout the season.
The game environment strongly favors Philadelphia. The Eagles opened as 7-point home favorites with the total set at 44.5 points. Chicago enters seeking to legitimize their surprising 8-3 record, but Philadelphia is heavily motivated coming off blowing a 21-0 second-half lead to Dallas. The Bears just escaped with a narrow victory over Pittsburgh, creating a potential letdown scenario.
Loveland qualifies as nothing more than a touchdown-dependent TE2 this week given the brutal defensive matchup. His scoring upside represents his only viable path to fantasy relevance against Philadelphia’s stingy coverage.
Kmet belongs on waivers in all formats, as he offers zero fantasy value regardless of matchup. Hopefully brighter days lie ahead for Loveland as an objectively talented player who simply needs more opportunity.
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