Who Should I Start? Cole Kmet or Colston Loveland

Thursday, August 7, 12:31 PM

Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (undisclosed) returned to training camp practice on Thursday after leaving Tuesday's session early with an undisclosed ailment, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. Kmet avoided a serious injury earlier this week and should be just fine to play in the Week 1 regular-season opener in early September. However, Chicago could play it safe and hold him out of their preseason opener this Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. The 26-year-old former second-rounder's fantasy stock took a big hit when the Bears selected Colston Loveland in the first round this year. Loveland had offseason shoulder surgery but should be ready for Week 1 and could easily take over as the team's primary pass-catching TE in 2025. RotoBaller has Kmet ranked all the way down as the No. 32 tight end this year.

Sunday, August 10, 5:03 PM

Chicago Bears first-round tight end Colston Loveland played in the first two series in the Bears' opening preseason game, catching one of two targets for eight yards in the 24-24 tie versus the Miami Dolphins. The 10th overall pick got his first NFL action in Sunday's game with Tyson Bagent and the rest of the Bears' backups. Veteran tight end Cole Kmet is listed as the starting tight end on the Bears' unofficial depth chart and didn't see the field, which is a bit of a worrying sign for the rookie. New Bears head coach Ben Johnson has previously coordinated an offense that produced elite tight end production from Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta. Loveland will need to surpass Kmet on the depth chart and rely on Johnson's scheme and quarterback Caleb Williams' potential to match what LaPorta achieved as a rookie.