LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — On their first play from scrimmage last Sunday, the Bears drew up an opportunity for rookie tight end Colston Loveland.
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams sold the play-action fake, rolled out to his left and hit his primary read in Loveland, who was wide open for an 18-yard gain. It was a play that showcased head coach Ben Johnson's intent to get more out of Loveland, the No. 10 overall pick in the NFL Draft in April.
It’s an opportunity that Loveland was eager to find.
“A guy you can trust,” Loveland said last week of his role in the Bears’ offense. “Whenever your name is called, go out and do whatever you're asked to do. That’s really where I’m at – just trying to do whatever I can to help the team win.”
Loveland needs more chances like that one, but they haven’t come consistently in his rookie season.
In the six games he has played, Loveland has 11 receptions for 116 yards and no touchdowns. By comparison, Colts rookie tight end Tyler Warren – selected four picks after Loveland at No. 14 overall – has 37 receptions for 492 yards and four total touchdowns in eight games.
Loveland missed Chicago's win at Las Vegas in Week 4 due to a hip injury, which he had suffered a week earlier. He has seen his role increase a bit with each game as Johnson has prioritized more 11 personnel (one tight end in the formation) for his offense.
However, there needs to be more of a priority to get Loveland more targets. He's a 6-foot-6, 241-pound mismatch in coverage. The franchise clearly coveted Loveland in making him the 10th overall pick in a deep draft class, but he hasn't been utilized enough.
The onus falls in large part on the shoulders of Williams, who hasn't looked to his tight ends much. Loveland and veteran tight end Cole Kmet have combined for 20 receptions on 37 targets this season. Wide receiver Rome Odunze leads the Bears with 56 targets, while fellow wideouts DJ Moore and Olamide Zaccheaus have 38 targets apiece.
In Williams’ 24 starts in the NFL, he has targeted a tight end just 14.1% of the time. Kmet saw a steep drop in his production in 2024. He had 73 receptions (on 90 targets) and six touchdowns with then-quarterback Justin Fields in 2023. He had 47 receptions (on 55 targets) and four touchdowns with Williams under center last year.
Kmet has just nine receptions on 19 targets in six games this season. The Bears hoped to open up their offense with Kmet and Loveland becoming a key tandem. Instead, neither has been a significant factor in the offense.
On multiple occasions this season, Johnson has pointed to the “mouths we have to feed” in the Bears’ offensive arsenal. Their identity is still taking shape midway through the season, and roles are being established.
The Bears' offense remains a work in progress. They're 12th in total offense and 15th in scoring offense but have scored touchdowns on just 11 of their 23 trips into the red zone, a place that Loveland could make a difference.
Loveland needs to become more of a priority in the Bears’ offensive plans.
Emma’s prediction (4-3): Bears 34, Bengals 27
Call it a get-right game for Caleb Williams and the Bears as they face a porous Bengals defense that has allowed at least 27 points in seven straight games. If Joe Flacco plays, Cincinnati can at least keep pace.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.