Top 10 Cash for Cole Kmet
The Bears reached their first contract extension for a starter since Ryan Poles became the team's GM.
Tight end Cole Kmet has agreed to a four-year contract with the Bears and ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the terms as $50 million over four years with $32.8 million guaranteed.
Kmet said he knew the deal was done as he went out to the practice field Wednesday at the Walter Payton center. Talks had been on-going about a week but had intensified the last few days.
"It was nice to get to practice and focus on things that matter," Kmet said.
The deal put Kmet in a tie with Jonnu Smith of Atlanta for eighth-highest overall tight end contract and ninth-highest tight end contract per average payout at $12.5 million, according to Spotrac.com.
"It's unbelievable," Kmet said of the big payday. "It's obviously life-changing stuff. And it’s pretty wild to think about."
Kmet was graded the ninth-best run blocker among tight ends last year by Pro Football Focus. HJe had a breakthrough season as a receiver last year with a career-high seven touchdown catches. He had 50 receptions for 544 yards.
Kmet was slated to count $3.76 million against the Bears cap this year.
The Bears spent $2.65 million for this year for backup tight end Rober Tonyan in free agency.
"Honored to be here, honored that they felt I was a guy worthy of this," Kmet said. "Ready to get going and prove these guys right and play beyond what the contract value is, in my opinion. That's what I want to do. And show that they made the right decision."
Other players who are up for extensions are cornerback Jaylon Johnson, wide receiver Darnell Mooney, wide receiver Chase Claypool and defensive end Trevis Gipson.
Twitter: BearDigest@BearsOnMaven
