NEWSLETTER
Cole Kmet isn’t getting enough playing time.
At least, that’s what the coach responsible for allocating playing time recently said:
Matt Nagy was asked about Cole Kmet being on the field for 15 snaps Sunday: “15 is not enough. He needs to be out there more. I feel like he’s ready. I hope here you will see more of him. He’s earned that right. That will be our job as coaches to make sure it’s more than 15.”
— Mark Grote (@markgrotesports) October 6, 2020
Through four games, Kmet has played just 83 snaps on offense. That’s just 30.3 percent of the team’s offensive plays. Jimmy Graham was always going to lead the way in snap share, but Demetrius Harris getting more playing time (119 snaps, 43.4% snap share) is concerning. Don’t get me wrong. I know tight ends develop slowly. But expectations were high for Kmet to be an exception to the rule. Maybe he wasn’t going to come out like gang-busters, but shouldn’t he be more than just a guy taking TE3 snaps?
The good news is that the Bears believe the time is coming for Kmet to get an increased role in the offense. But what does that mean?
Kmet needs to be targeted more in the passing game. Through four weeks, Kmet has been thrown to just three times. One of those catches was a 12-yard gain. It’s a modest first snag, but this is how he should be utilized within the offense:
https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/1307744261295800321?s=20
Can’t ask for more than this at this junction of the season. It’s a heavy package, play action pass that features Kmet working down the seam, finding a spot, and make a contested catch while making his way back on a comeback route. Should the Bears establish a willingness to run, then opportunities like the one above should be available for Kmet and the Bears offense.
Then again, Kmet needs to be on the field in the first place in order to make the most of his skill set.
Kmet has played on just 24 (!) pass plays in which he has gone out in a pattern. That’s by far the lowest among the tight ends, trailing Graham (131) and Harris (37). With all due respect to Harris, that he is out-snapping Kmet on pass plays shouldn’t be happening. Perhaps this is an early trend based on Kmet’s inexperience. But if it isn’t, then what?
Here’s the thing: Bears coaches have gassed up players in the past, only to watch them not live up to expectations. There was a ton of hype building for Kmet after the draft, and the buzz didn’t slow down this summer. Heck, it was Nagy himself who said Kmet is like Robocop because of his blocking and catching abilities. I’m all for rostering a super-human cyborg on the roster, but then why use him for just 30 percent of the offensive snaps? Something clearly isn’t lining up.
Nevertheless, Nagy believes Kmet has earned the right to more playing time. Of course, it’s up to Nagy to give it to him.
