This Is Why the Bears Can’t Have Nice Things: A Closer Look at Kmet and Moore’s Roles
I struggle to understand the thought process shared by a portion of the Bears’ fan base.
We’re only one week removed from Chicago adding pass-catchers with their first two picks in the draft, and some fans are already theorizing that the moves have now put the team in a position where they can move on from their starting tight end and number one receiver.
Cole Kmet
I understand the selection of Loveland signals the eventual end of Kmet’s days in Chicago. Even with the increased use of twelve personnel, that’s only logical. Kmet is the eighth highest-paid tight end in the league, and they drafted a cheaper one with the tenth pick in the draft. I previously made it clear that I wasn’t a fan of drafting a TE in the first round. Still, I’m relieved they preferred Loveland over Tyler Warren, especially with Ben Johnson’s stamp of approval and previous history as a TE coach.
While Kmet’s days may be numbered, the chances that those numbers are in the single digits are slim to none. He will be a member of the Chicago Bears in 2025. Considering the position historically requires more time to get acclimated to the speed of the NFL, I also wouldn’t be surprised if he outsnaps and outplays the University of Michigan product in year one.
Kmet caught 47 of his 55 targets last year. That productivity isn’t just going to go away, even if the production is probably going to take a hit. I don’t understand how some fans can be so quick to shield Caleb Williams from criticism because of the abysmal situation he found himself in and then throw his starting tight end under the bus despite them playing in the same offense under the same clueless coaching staff. I know the contract conversation will come into play after this season (they will save $8.4 million by cutting him and only incur a $3.2 million dead cap hit), but I will never understand the notion that he isn’t a good tight end.
D.J. Moore
Speaking of things I don’t understand, the fact that some fans want to move on from DJ Moore is a complete mystery to me.
It’s almost like they watched him fumble late in the game against Green Bay and immediately turned off the TV, right before he caught the pass to put them in position to kick the game-winning field goal. Just because the Bears have a wealth of talent at the receiver position, it doesn’t mean they should make a concerted effort to get rid of their most proven weapon, who they signed to a massive contract extension less than a year ago.
PHOTO: Jamie Sabau/Imagn Images
I know some were soured on Moore with the effort he gave at times last season. I know everyone saw the clip where he walked off the field mid-play (after he already stepped out of bounds and didn’t want to lose five yards and a loss of downs) and bashed him for it. Those situations don’t change the fact that he just turned 28 and is only two years removed from a near-1400-yard season. He might not be in the same tier as the alpha number-one receivers across the league, but he’s got a strong case for being in that second tier of near-elite receivers.
Why would the Bears be looking to move on from a player like that, even if they wouldn’t be taking a massive dead cap hit to do so?
I know Luther Burden III has a similar skill set to Moore, and some argued that the selection effectively put him on notice. That’s absolutely silly. I promise they didn’t have Moore on their mind when they dialed his number. They were just thrilled that a top-15 player on their board was still available when they were on the clock at 39. I understand the mindset that you would ideally like to have a variety of skill sets amongst your starting pass-catchers, but that just isn’t always how it shakes out from a team-building perspective.
The Dolphins traded for Tyreek Hill a year after drafting another speedster in Jaylen Waddle with the sixth overall pick. The Bucs drafted Emeka Egbuka in the first round after resigning Chris Godwin to a three-year, $66 million deal this offseason. It will be interesting to see how they deploy them since they are both primarily known as slot receivers. The Texans drafted Jayden Higgins, who has an awfully similar skill set to Nico Collins, with the 34th pick in the draft. How many Bucs and Texans fans are vying for their team to trade their proven commodities?
I understand the mindset that it’s possible to have “too much of a good thing” when it comes to a pass-catching unit. Ben Johnson has to find a way to keep everyone involved and happy with their role on offense. That is valid. That would be an issue if Burden or Moore go two weeks without getting on the stat sheet. However, injuries happen, and it’s far more likely that a player gets sidelined for a few weeks than someone having a blow-up for a lack of usage, especially with the high-character pass-catchers the team has assembled.
Chicago’s pass-catching unit has not only become a major strength of the team, but it’s become one of the most formidable units in the entire league. In Justin Fields’ sophomore year, he was forced to throw to Darnell Mooney, Equanimeous St. Brown, Dante Pettis, and Byron Pringle.
For once, the team has surrounded their young QB with everything he needs to break the Bears’ signal-caller curse.
Can we stop hoping they mess it up?
PHOTO: Jamie Sabau/Imagn Images
Discover more from Chicago Sports Nation
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Categorized:Bears