Chicago Bears TE Cole Kmet OK with fewer targets if team wins more
Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet expressed his excitement over the new-look offense entering the regular season, even if that means his own personal production might decline.
The Lake Barrington native caught 73 balls for 719 yards and six touchdowns last season. But instead of padding those stats, Kmet is more concerned with improving the only number that ultimately matters for the team.
"If I get more open looks, that's great. At the end of the day, I think that just helps us win more games, so if that means that my target share goes down, and we win more games, I am all for that," Kmet said. "It's been a long four years of losing for the most part since I've been here and I'm really excited about what we've got offensively all around. I think a lot of guys are gonna play off each other. Obviously you got a run game to account for as well. So the main thing is just excelling in the role that they give you each and every week and I look forward to doing that and I think that's gonna result in a lot of wins this year."
This past offseason, the Bears added veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen, signed star wideout DJ Moore to a long term contract and drafted receiver Rome Odunze in the first round after taking quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick.
General Manager Ryan Poles doesn't have any concerns about the team's offensive line depth, calling it the best he's had in Chicago. The line is dealing with some injuries.
Ryan Bates was back on the practice field but not in team drills. Teven Jenkins also was not in team drills on Wednesday and Bill Murray left practice with an apparent injury. Poles though still feels like this offensive line group could be "special."
Bears sign 14 players to practice squad
The Bears on Wednesday also announced they signed 14 players to their practice squad after cutting down the roster to the league limit of 53 this week.
The practice squad included:
- Micah Baskerville, linebacker
- Theo Benedet, guard
- Stephen Carlson, tight end
- Byron Cowart, defensive tackle
- Jake Curhan, offensive tackle
- Collin Johnson, receiver
- Quindell Johnson, safety
- Carl Jones, linebacker
- Jamree Kromah, defensive end
- Dashaun Mallory, defensive tackle
- Tarvarius Moore, safety
- Austin Reed, quarterback
- Reddy Steward, cornerback
- Ro Torrence, cornerback
The team still has two spots to fill on its practice squad.
In other moves, the team placed long snapper Patrick Scales on injured reserve. They are expected to sign Downers Grove native Scott Daly to fill his spot.
Poles also confirmed that fullback Khari Blasingame is back after being released on Tuesday.