LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- The Bears have locked in a core player as part of general manager Ryan Poles' plan for the future.
The Bears and tight end Cole Kmet have reached an agreement on a four-year, $50-million contract extension, multiple sources said. The team announced the agreement following practice on Wednesday morning.
Kmet said he receiving a phone call from his agent 20 minutes before practice informing him of the deal being reached.
"Just amazing," Kmet said. "I mean, this whole thing from the beginning has been a dream come true. Getting drafted here first, being able to get an extension done and agree to term on that, it's amazing.
"Looking forward to the things to come with it, many playoff appearances and Super Bowls to come."
Kmet, 24, has 138 receptions for 1,399 yards and nine touchdowns over 50 career games with the Bears. He was a second-round pick to the team in 2020.
Kmet broke through with a career-best seven touchdowns last season. He has not missed a game during the course of his three-year career.
"He's a pro," Bears coach Matt Eberflus said. "He's a guy that can be trusted. He's a fantastic teammate. Just leading by example. You talk about modeling behavior you want to see, you talk about his practice habits, how he is in meetings, how he works with other players, how he works with the coaches, how he leads in times of adversity, he does all of those things. And I think that's what makes him a leader."
A Notre Dame product, Kmet was raised in nearby Lake Barrington. He has emerged as one of the more instrumental players in the Bears' locker room and became a clear contract extension candidate this offseason.
Poles can now turn his focus towards potential new deals for cornerback Jaylon Johnson and wide receiver Darnell Mooney, each key players like Kmet who are entering contract seasons.
On Tuesday, Poles declined to address potential contract extensions though he admitted that it would be preferred to reach these deals sooner rather than later.
Kmet's deal marks the first long-term contract extension that Poles has awarded as the Bears' general manager.
"It's unbelievable," Kmet said. "It's obviously life-changing stuff. It's pretty wild to think about. At the end of the day, it's crazy. I don't know how else to say it. But I'm honored to be here. Honored that they felt I'm a guy worthy of this. Ready to get going and prove these guys right and really play beyond what the contract value is. That's what I want to do, and show that they made the right decision."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
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