Cole Kmet Had His First Khalil Mack Encounter. Didn’t Enjoy It

Cole Kmet knew being a rookie that there was going to be an adjustment period once he got to the NFL. It happens to everybody. People always like to call them that “Welcome to the NFL” moment. A specific instance where the young player realizes he went from a big fish in a small pond to just another fish in a vast ocean. Everybody is talented at this level.

Kmet is no different. He understands he has a ton of work to do if he wants to fulfill his full potential. Part of that is learning to accept the fact he’ll be going against a lot of good football players every single week. So has he had his particular moment yet? Some might think it was the false start penalty he drew in the first practice a few days ago. Something that earned a razzing from teammates.

That wasn’t it in Kmet’s mind. Instead, the moment arrived during a drill where he was supposed to deliver a block on a run play. He was not prepared for who he lined up against.

“Yeah. For me it was the first day of pads and I had a cut-off block. I look up and I’m going against 52. So that’s a little wake-up call for me.”

Cole Kmet is getting a tremendous education

Khalil Mack tends to have that effect on everybody. He is a force. One most rookies regret coming across. For Kmet though, he couldn’t ask for a better teacher. If he can learn to block one of the best outside linebackers in the NFL, then he can block anybody. By all accounts, the tight end has made a strong impression early in training camp. Teammates laud him both for his size and athleticism along with his football intelligence.

Having Jimmy Graham there as a mentor on top of it all only helps. Kmet has everything in place to be a success with the Bears. All he has to do is want it enough and stay healthy. The team has high expectations for him. As well they should. He has the ability to become a monster. It’s up to him though.