Bears $50 million veteran cut candidate could leave for Lions in 2026

The Chicago Bears are having one of their best seasons in recent memory in 2025, as Ben Johnson's squad tallied 11 wins during the regular season and will play the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round after a come-from-behind win on wild-card weekend over the Green Bay Packers.

Though Chicago has had a terrific campaign, it hasn't been a great year for tight end Cole Kmet. The veteran playmaker posted just 30 receptions for 347 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games in 2025, and got his starting spot snatched by rookie Coleston Loveland.

With Kmet losing his starting role and becoming less of a factor on the Bears' offense, he could be a cut candidate this offseason.

If Chicago cuts ties with Kmet, A to Z Sports' Mike Payton believes the Detroit Lions should sign the 26-year-old tight end.

"We definitely learned in 2025 that the Lions really need depth at tight end. Kmet gives them a guy who can be a pass catcher and a good pass-blocking tight end. A duo of Kmet and LaPorta could be a lot of fun and would give Goff an extra weapon," Payton wrote.

After a promising first two seasons with the Lions, tight end Sam LaPorta was held to just nine games and 489 receiving yards in 2025 due to a back injury.

LaPorta is expected to be fully healthy for the 2026 season and put together a bounce-back year. However, it would still be wise for Detroit to add a reliable backup tight end to the roster in the spring.

If Kmet does get cut, the Lions should sign him. The 26-year-old shouldn't be too expensive to sign on the open market, and would provide a nice blend of pass catching and overall blocking, which would be incredibly valuable in Detroit's offense.

The Lions are slated to have negative $9 million in cap space this offseason, but the franchise should be able to create some room ahead of free agency and potentially add an all-around tight end like Kmet on a team-friendly deal.