Cole Kmet is an American professional football tight end for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL).[2][4] Born on March 10, 1999, in Lake Barrington, Illinois, Kmet is 6'6" and weighs 257 pounds.[2] Kmet attended Notre Dame, where he played both football and baseball for the Fighting Irish.[1] Over three college seasons, he recorded 60 receptions for 691 yards and six touchdowns, with all six scores coming during his final season along with 43 catches for 515 yards.[1] The Chicago Bears selected him in the second round (43rd overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft.[2] In his rookie season, Kmet drew 44 targets and caught 28 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns.[1] He demonstrated exceptional athletic traits during the pre-draft process, posting an 84th percentile Speed Score and an 89th percentile Burst Score, though his 4.70 40-yard dash time raised some eyebrows among scouts.[1] He also showcased a wingspan of 10.07 inches.[1] During the 2021 season, Kmet led all NFL tight ends in targets with 93 despite recording zero touchdowns.[1] He played in 83.7% of the Bears' offensive snaps and commanded a 17.7 percent target share.[1] In 2022, Kmet agreed to a four-year, $50 million contract extension with the Bears, which included $32 million guaranteed.[5] In the 2025 season, Kmet has started all 17 games with 47 receptions for 474 yards, averaging 10.1 yards per catch with four touchdowns and 25 first down receptions.[3] He remains a key component of the Bears' offense alongside rookie tight end Colston Loveland, selected by Chicago at the 10th overall pick in the recent draft.[5] Kmet is currently in his sixth season with the franchise.