Trade scenarios continue to flourish as we near the 2026 NFL Draft. For the Carolina Panthers, they could be in the running for a top Tight End.
In a FOX Sports article, they have laid out potential trade scenarios for a handful of teams during the 2026 NFL Draft. The list has Carolina landing Cole Kmet from the Chicago Bears while giving away 2026 and 2027 draft picks.
One could argue that the Carolina Panthers are relatively weak at the tight end position. Though the team has done a fair job with surrounding Bryce Young with weapons, landing Kmet could work out well for the young quarterback.
Adding Another Weapon For Bryce Young
2026 may be the most important year of Bryce Young’s career. He took a step forward in 2025. Young threw for 3,011 yards with 23 touchdowns and a 63.6 completion percentage.
“It’s a make-or-break year for quarterback Bryce Young, and the Panthers have done a good job of surrounding him with receivers and running backs. But they don’t have a reliable target at tight end — often the best friend of an emerging quarterback.” Ralph Vacchiano wrote in the FOX Sports article.
Cole Kmet proved to be a good target with Caleb Williams throwing him the ball last year. Bryce Young may not be as talented as Caleb Williams, but Young is trending in the right direction. Kmet went to the University of Notre Dame from 2017 to 2019. The Chicago Bears selected Kmet in the 2nd round of the 2020 NFL draft.
“Kmet showed what he was capable in 2023 when he caught 73 passes for 719 yards and six touchdowns, but the emergence of Colston Loveland has made him an afterthought in Chicago. With two years and $20 million left on his contract, the Bears could be enticed to move on now.” Ralph Vacchiano wrote in the FOX Sports article.
Kmet Would Add to Panthers Young Core
“I feel like we have a strong foundation of guys. I think that they — it’s definitely something foundation-wise that we can definitely build upon,” Panthers General Manager Dan Morgan said during his end-of season press conference. “And that’s my job and my team’s job and the coach’s job and all of us collaborating together to bring the right guys and build this thing the right way.”
Carolina Panthers Wide Receiver Tetairoa McMillan is just one of the few young stars that the Panthers look forward to developing. McMillan won the AP rookie offensive player of the year award in 2025. McMillan started all 17 games for the Carolina Panthers in 2025. The Rookie of the Year caught 70 passes on 122 targets for 1,014 yards and 7 touchdowns. McMillan is the first Carolina Panthers player to win the award since Cam Newton in 2011.
Jalen Coker had an impressive season with Carolina last year as well. Jalen Coker was a 2024 undrafted free agent. The 6’3, 208-pound wideout had himself a breakout playoff performance against the Los Angeles Rams. In two seasons with Carolina, Coker has 65 receptions for 871 yards. He has caught five touchdowns including a career long 83-yard touchdown catch.
Cole Kmet would just add to the playmakers that Carolina already has. Furthermore, they would add a young but seasoned tight end to fill in the hole at the position.
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