The New England Patriots' objectives for the 2025 offseason were broad, and they've mostly been executed.
All the Patriots really knew they could count on at the outset of the calendar year was quarterback Drake Maye. They've done their best to build around Maye, bringing in a new head coach, number-one wide receiver, left tackle, and running back.
The Patriots' tight end situation looked fairly solid coming into the year, as Hunter Henry was the team's leading receiver in 2024 and Austin Hooper returned to the club in free agency.
However, one NFL writer still believes the Patriots have the opportunity to improve at the tight end position, and in turn, give Maye another weapon to work with in his sophomore season.
On Tuesday, Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox named the Patriots as a hypothetical trade fit for Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet, who is entering year two of a four-year, $50 million extension.
"The Chicago Bears probably won't shop standout tight end Cole Kmet in the coming months," Knox wrote. "However, the 26-year-old looms as a potential trade target for teams that need a pass-catcher at the position, as the Bears just used the 10th overall pick on Michigan tight end Colston Loveland.
"The New England Patriots should be interested in Kmet if he becomes available. They need to put pass-catchers around second-year quarterback Drake Maye, and Kmet could be a long-term option for them at tight end."
Kmet, 26, would represent a narrow upgrade, if any, over Henry. He totaled just 474 receiving yards and four touchdowns this past season despite playing in all 17 games. Some of his lack of production can be attributed to shaky quarterback play, but that's hardly worth an $11.6 million salary.
Still, if the Patriots see something in Kmet that makes them believe he can thrive with a change of scenery, it wouldn't be shocking to see them be opportunistic here.
