Why Bears tight end Kmet isn't lamenting his lack of catches

Coming into this season, many pundits predicted a breakout campaign for Bears tight end Cole Kmet.

Blessed with a 6-foot-6, 260-pound frame and fairly sure hands, Kmet was entering his third pro season and figured to be an inviting target for QB Justin Fields.

But is hasn't panned out that way.

Kmet, who didn't even catch his first pass until Week 3, has a mere 12 catches for 148 yards in seven games. That reception total ranks far behind elite TEs like Travis Kelce (47), Mark Andrews (42) and Zach Ertz (37), but it also trails run-of-the mill guys like New Orleans' Juwan Johnson (19), Miami's Mike Gesicki (18) and the Giants' Daniel Bellinger (16).

This after a season in which the Lake Barrington native hauled in 60 passes, the most by a Bears tight end since 2009 when Greg Olsen finished with the exact same number.

Now, here's the interesting part: Kmet isn't complaining one bit. Instead, the Notre Dame product is thrilled to be part of an offense that leads the league in rushing with 181 yards per game and is on pace to surpass the single-season franchise record of 2,974 yards.

"My ability to do both things in the pass game and in the run game gives me good value ... so I'm able to stay on the field," Kmet said Thursday as the Bears prepared for Sunday's matchup at Dallas (5-2). "I'm gonna stick with this going forward. I'm gonna be optimistic about it. ...

"I'm not gonna be complaining about (my numbers) or whatever. ... We've shown when we run the ball a lot and we're successful in the run game, we win games. That's what I'm all about."

This team-first attitude doesn't go unnoticed by coach Matt Eberflus, offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, and running backs David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert.

"Cole is a very selfless human being," said Montgomery, who has 308 yards on 77 carries. "All of our tight ends are really. ... When you've got a selfless room like that, you can accomplish a lot of things."

One of those things might be to run for 3,000 yards as a team. That's never happened before, with the 1984 squad coming closest. Eight guys ran for 70 or more yards that season, but most of the damage was done by Walter Payton (1,684 yards), Matt Suhey (424) and QB Jim McMahon (276).

Led by second-year linebacker Micah Parsons, the Cowboys have one of the more intimidating defenses in the league. Parsons' 8 sacks ranks second and he's tied for third in tackles for loss with nine.

"He's a freak, man," said Kmet, who marveled at Parsons' explosiveness both on the line of scrimmage and in open space. "He's a dynamic player, so he's a guy we're gonna have to key on in the pass game. Third-down situations he's gonna be looking to tee off."

One wonders how much Getsy dove into the Cowboys' Week 3 matchup against the Giants. While New York did lose 23-16, Saquon Barkley ran for 81 yards on 14 carries while QB Daniel Jones added 79 yards on 9 rushes. Oh, and Bellinger hauled in 4 catches for a season-high 40 yards.

This game seems like a good time to utilize Kmet on short curl routes or quick outs so Fields can get the ball out of his hands quickly.

And how about a target or two in the red zone? The Bears might score a few more TDs if Kmet's number is called more often down there.

But that's just my two cents.

As for what's transpired thus far? Getsy couldn't be happier with his versatile tight end.

"The guy's been a stud for us. He makes critical plays," Getsy said. "He plays as hard as anybody on this team. ... I get so excited when he has the ball in his hands because of the way he's so violent and he finishes each run. ...

"He's being a great leader on the team, too. I'm probably always sounding cliché up here and that's OK because I just really love the buy-in of these guys.

"I mean ... (Darnell) Mooney could complain about not having a touchdown either, and the guy's just been getting better each and every week in every part of his game.

"And Cole's, in my mind, doing the same."