LAKE FOREST, Ill. (104.3 The Score) – In the latter half of the 2025 regular season and into the playoffs, the Bears saw the best of then-rookie tight end Colston Loveland.
The early part of Loveland’s first season in Chicago featured more talk about his potential than production on the field, but that changed midway through the season as he really started to shine.
Loveland had just 11 receptions and no touchdowns in Chicago’s first seven games. He then had his breakout performance in the Bears’ wild comeback win over the Bengals on Nov. 2, hauling in six receptions for 118 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning 58-yard score with 17 seconds remaining. Loveland ended up leading the Bears with 58 catches for 713 yards for the season.
In the Bears’ two playoff games, Loveland had a combined 12 receptions for 193 yards as quarterback Caleb Williams looked his way as a reliable target. As Loveland now enters his second NFL season, head coach Ben Johnson is excited about what’s to come.
“I love what he brings to the table,” Johnson said. “He's one of the most consistent players I've been around, and that's saying a lot for a young guy, because I think it takes a while before guys can truly understand what it means to be a professional. But he's in early, he's always in his playbook, he's always taking notes.
“He really thrives with being available in the pressure moments. That's the type of guy that he wants to be. A lot of trust with the coaching staff, with the quarterbacks. So, I'm really happy with where he's at right now.”
The No. 10 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Loveland was recovering from a shoulder injury during his first NFL offseason program and training camp. He was unable to get up to full speed in that time. Johnson understood that and didn’t prioritize Loveland in his offense early in the season.
Johnson is now expanding the route tree for Loveland in his second NFL season.
“It was good for a rookie, but it’s not going to be good enough for a second-year or third-year guy,” Loveland said of his play last season. “So, knowing that, alright, flush that, clean up the tape and the things I need to get better at, which is dang near everything.”
If Loveland is the player that he showcased late in his rookie season, he’ll prove to be a tremendous force for the Bears’ offense. He took flight and inspired confidence across the organization in 2025 with his performance once he overcame his injury and the usual rookie learning curve.
The Bears were drawn to Loveland in the NFL Draft because they believed he had the talent and makeup to be a transcendent player at tight end. Loveland emerged from his rookie season leaving the Bears eager for more, and he can’t wait to show what he can do for an encore.
“It’s about what the team needs and what the coaching staff needs,” Loveland said. “Whatever position I’m put in, I’m going to accept that role, attack that role and do what I’m asked. If I’m going over 1,000 (yards), if I’m under 400, as long as we’re winning games and getting the main goal.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears and the Chicago sports scene for 104.3 The Score.
