It almost always takes time for rookie tight ends to catch on, but the Bears probably had higher hopes for second-rounder Cole Kmet after an impressive offseason and preseason.
He has played just 30% of the snaps as the Bears lean on veteran Demetrius Harris instead. Harris has played 43%, and pass-catching threat Jimmy Graham has been in on 69%.
In the loss to the Colts, Kmet played a season-low 15 snaps.
“Fifteen is not enough,” coach Matt Nagy said. “He needs to be out there more. We’re aware of that.
“He is doing a really good job at taking in this offense, which we knew from the get-go. Now that he knows the tempo of the games, the adjustments, things that go on within the game, I feel like he’s ready. I hope you guys will start seeing more of him.”
Kmet had his only catch in Week 2 and was targeted just once over the last two games. Graham leads the tight ends with 23 targets (14 catches, 136 yards, three touchdowns), followed by Harris at seven (four catches, 21 yards) and Kmet at three (one catch, 12 yards).