SEATTLE — This time last year, as the Bears embarked on Matt Nagy’s final boondoggle with Andy Dalton at quarterback, Cole Kmet’s mind wandered into the future.

He saw then-rookie quarterback Justin Fields relegated to second-string as part of an ill-conceived plan that blew up on the Bears halfway through their second game and knew he needed to begin establishing their connection. He stayed late to practice with Fields knowing their time would come.

It’s here.

There remains great uncertainty about both players, but their careers are syncing up for a perfect opportunity this season. The Bears are finally fully committed to Fields as their starter and running an offense tailored to his skills. And as much as Kmet appreciated veteran Jimmy Graham’s tutelage, his departure was necessary for Kmet to fully step into the role of all-purpose tight end.

Either of them emerging would be big for the Bears. Both of them doing it would be enormous. And the work they began last summer seems to be building toward a breakthrough.

“I knew early on, down the road, that was going to be a big deal,” Kmet told the Sun-Times after the Bears beat the Seahawks on Thursday. “And it’s been progressing from that point to this offseason and then having a full training camp with him now and a preseason game — that’s a big deal.

“It gives you more confidence — both of us — because you know you’re the guy. It’s been good for us. We’re still far from where we want to be and what we can be, but I think that’s the exciting part about it.”

Kmet was quick to note that it was merely one drive in a preseason game, but the duo showed a glimpse of its potential in Seattle.

On their first snap, the Bears schemed Kmet open beautifully on a screen pass, and he turned it into a 12-yard gain by spinning free from a would-be tackler about halfway through the play and plowing forward in a crowd at the end of it.

The new staff at Halas Hall has been gushing about Kmet throughout the offseason, but it’s not always clear how genuine someone is when the cameras are rolling. It is more telling, though, that they’ve repeatedly raved about his training off the record, too. He’s a holdover from Ryan Pace and Nagy, who collaborated to draft him No. 43 overall in 2020, but he quickly won over his new bosses.

That catch Thursday was a snapshot of what they projected: a tight end with the speed, agility and power to do everything they’ll need. And specifically, everything Fields will need as he tries to prove he’s a franchise quarterback.

If any front office drew up a list of necessities for a young quarterback, a reliable tight end would be at or near the top of it. Kmet could consistently present himself as Fields’ surest option when he drops back, and given that he could face a lot of pressure this season, he needs someone he can trust in an emergency.

“When you get the non-verbal stuff going and you can just look at someone and have a feel of what they’re gonna do on every play, that’s where you want to get to,” Kmet said. “That takes a lot of time, but that’s the goal. We’re growing into that. It’s happening.”

It’s no surprise that the Bears’ offense looked more fluid with Kmet against the Seahawks than it did without him against the chiefs last week.

“He can do pretty much all of it,” Fields said. “He brings another weapon to our offense, for sure, so I was glad to see him out there.”

Bears general manager Ryan Poles brought in a group of mostly unknown skill players, and it would take a lot of faith to believe that’s sufficient for Fields to thrive. But if Kmet takes a major step forward after catching 60 passes for 612 yards and no touchdowns last season, Fields’ supporting cast could be viable.

Fields threw seven passes Thursday: three to Kmet (two catches, 31 yards), two to wide receiver Darnell Mooney (one catch, six yards) and two to backup running back Khalil Herbert (two catches, two yards).

Swap in David Montgomery for Herbert and factor in a contribution from veteran Byron Pringle, and that’s a rough sketch of how targets probably will be allocated during the season.

The Bears will steer through this season constantly glancing ahead to see what they’re putting together for next season, when Poles shifts his rebuild into high gear. As he makes those plans, he must evaluate Fields and Kmet with great scrutiny to see if they’re the answers he seeks or if he needs to start over at those two vital positions.

So they’re both stepping into the spotlight and they’re both on the clock.

It isn’t always this urgent this early for quarterbacks — Fields started just 10 games last season and played 57% of the snaps — but if the Bears are bad this season, they’ll have a very high draft pick. That’s the time to change direction at quarterback.

Not to mention that Poles and coach Matt Eberflus would be risking their jobs if they waited too long to decide whether they’re in or out on Fields.

Likewise, Kmet’s rookie deal ends after the 2023 season. If he convinces the Bears this season, a contract extension is in order next year.

That future Fields and Kmet started working on in training camp last summer is fully in their hands now. And they’ll have to help each other secure it.

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Teven Jenkinshas had a wild career already, and he’s barely more than a year into it.

Drafted by the previous administration to be the Bears’ left tackle of the future, Jenkins saw the new staff dismiss that notion almost immediately and demoted him to right tackle. And as his chances dwindled at that spot, the recently shifted him to right guard.

Jenkins has gone from the most prestigious position on the offensive line to the least. And to his credit, his humility and resilience have given him a chance to win a starting job.

“It was a rollercoaster for a little bit, not knowing what I was gonna do,” he told the Sun-Times. “And then seeing that I have a chance at right guard… I’m trying to go all in and make sure I’m able to get in the starting five and give my team the best chance to win no matter where I’m at.

“Some guys might say they’re a left tackle and they’re staying at left tackle. I’m more of a team player type of guy. Whatever it takes for the team to win — it doesn’t matter to me… This is about me buying in now and believing in myself that I can do it at right guard.”

If this works, it would solve several problems for the Bears.

A week or so ago, it seemed plausible that they’d outright cut Jenkins — a second-round pick last year — because of where he sat on the depth chart. And it also looked like right guard would be the most problematic spot on their line.

If Jenkins thrives there, it could help solidify his and their future. This season is essentially an open audition for all five o-line spots in 2023, and jobs general managerRyan Polesfills now will allow him to use salary-cap space and draft picks elsewhere next year.

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Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Friday swung back at Republican Darren Bailey’s insistence that Chicago is a “hellhole” — and that she is partly to blame — by slamming the downstate farmer’s gubernatorial campaign as a “dumpster fire.”

“Chicago is no hellhole, but the Bailey campaign sure is a dumpster fire,” the mayor tweeted.

Bailey, who is running against incumbent Gov. J.B. Pritzker in the general election, appeared Thursday at a GOP rally during the Illinois State Fair, where he again attacked Chicago and its Democratic leadership for failing to address crime and other issues.

The ‘hellhole’ jab is a line he introduced in a debate in Chicago nearly three months ago — and it’s become part of his campaign patter since then.

When asked by a reporter Thursday whether he thought most Chicagoans, who account for more than 20% of Illinois’ general population, actually view their home as a “hellhole,” Bailey stood by his comments, saying, “Actually, I believe they do. … Because it’s unsafe.”

Bailey’s campaign also responded to Lightfoot’s tweet with a series of posts including links to news stories about Chicago crime. Another tweet, quoting the mayor’s, calls Lightfoot, Pritzker and Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx “the three blind mice of crime, corruption and chaos.”

Chicago Tribune columnist Heidi Stevens tweeted out her own response, a series of photos showcasing the city’s beauty under the ironic “hellhole” label. Others quickly joined in, tweeting photos alternately countering — or seconding — Bailey’s narrative.

Shootings and homicides in Chicago are down substantially from the historic highs of last year, according to Chicago Police Department data, but there’s been a 35% increase in overall crimes reported in 2022.

Lightfoot, who’s running for reelection, has repeatedly defended the efforts of CPD under the leadership of Supt. David Brown. “I will always have your back,” the mayor said 10 days ago at a police graduation ceremony.

And she’s clashed with Bailey before.

Earlier this month, the Republican state senator dubbed Lightfoot, Pritzker and Foxx “the three musketeers of crime.” Bailey said the trio not only “turned their backs on our police officers,” but he said the three Democrats “have actively attacked them.”

The mayor countered with a lengthy response at an unrelated appearance that day with Pritzker, arguing that Bailey is not fit to be governor.

“This feckless person no way, no how deserves to be taken seriously, and he certainly doesn’t deserve anyone’s vote to be governor of the state,” Lightfoot said. “We have a governor that’s leading us, and he’s standing right here. His name is J.B. Pritzker.”

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A four-star prospect and a pair of teammates are among the area’s top running backs.

Here’s a rundown:

1. Tysean Griffin, Morgan Park

The 5-11, 165-pounder didn’t play his first high school game till March 2021 because of the pandemic, but had his first Division I offer two weeks later. Now the versatile two-way standout has 13, from the likes of Arkansas, Cincinnati, Iowa State, Michigan State, Tennessee and Wisconsin. He’s a four-star prospect ranked eighth in Illinois and in thetop 325 nationally in the247Sports.com composite ratings.

2. Darrion Dupree, Mount Carmel

Another junior from the South Side, Dupree is a three-star prospect ranked 22nd among junior runningbacks, ninth in Illinois and 350th overall nationally. He has 17 offers, including Cincinnati, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska and Rutgers.

3. Tony Phillips, Kankakee

The 5-6, 170-pound junior already has won four state track titles, sweepingthe Class 1A 100- and 200-meter dashes each of the past two seasons. A three-star transfer from Bishop McNamara, he’s a top-15 player in the state and top-40 running back nationally. His 10 offers include Arkansas and Tennessee.

4. Vinny Rugai, St. Ignatius

Few players fill a stat sheet like this 5-11, 190-pound senior. He ran 198 times for 1,275 yards and 16 touchdowns last year; at linebacker, he had 58 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He’s a four-year starter and a big reason for the Wolfpack’s breakout season in 2021.

5. Jaydon Wright, Kankakee

Like Phillips, Wright is a junior moving across town to join the 2021 Class 5A runners-up. The 5-10, 220-pounder is ranked 13th in his class in Illinois and 35th nationally among running backs. He has 11 offers, including Minnesota and Purdue.

6. Nathan Greetham, Prairie Ridge

When the Wolves have a proven fullback in their trademark option offense, they tend to play deep into November in Class 6A. Greetham, a 5-8, 175-pounder, fits that description and he’s also a standout in the classroom with a 3.8 grade-point average.

7. Ethan Middleton, St. Rita

Yet another junior from the South Side, this 5-11, 180-pounder is a three-star prospect ranked in the top 15 among Illinois juniors and 78th nationally among athletes. He has a Penn State offer and likely will be getting many more.

8. Joshua Robinson, Bolingbrook

The Raiders have a long tradition of producing quality backs and Robinson is the latest member of the club. A 6-2, 210-pounder, his 12 offers include Air Force, Army and Northern Illinois.

9. Andre Crews, Simeon

One of the area’s premier two-way players, Crews was a first-team All-Public League pick last season as a defensive back. The 5-9, 180-pound senior is being recruited primarily as a cornerback and his seven offers include Kentucky and Air Force.

10. Davonte Johnson, Kenwood

The Broncos have as much top-level talent as any program in the area and Johnson is part of that group. The 5-11, 170-pound senior’s offers include Army and Navy.

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