The Chicago Bears raised some eyebrows when they selected Michigan tight end Colston Loveland with the No. 10 draft pick in April. It wasn’t that Loveland wasn’t deserving of being a top-10 pick but more so the notion that the team had bigger needs at offensive tackle or on the defensive line.
But the Bears are doing things differently under coach Ben Johnson. The tight end position is a priority.
Here’s what Bears fans need to know about Loveland ahead of his rookie season.
NFL Draft Football
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces Colston Loveland being chosen by the Chicago Bears with the 10th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft on April 24 in Green Bay, Wis. Jeff Roberson, Associated Press
How did he get here?
Before the draft, many projections had Penn State tight end Tyler Warren rated ahead of Loveland. The two play a different style. In college, Loveland was a surefire weapon in the passing game. Warren earned a reputation of being more of a jack-of-all-trades tight end who could play out of the backfield when needed and block at a high level.
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Penn State used Warren in unique ways, and that led to speculation that Johnson could do the same with Warren in his offense. But Johnson and the Bears made it pretty clear on draft night that Loveland was their preferred tight end. They had the chance to select either player and went with Loveland.
“It’s not just one part of his game,” general manager Ryan Poles said on draft night. “It’s really the totality of what he can do for us. But when you turn on the tape, there’s plays being made constantly. (He’s) a guy that you could feel confident going to in critical situations.”
Where did he come from?
Loveland grew up in Gooding, Idaho, a small town with a population of about 3,800. His abilities on the football field were apparent from a young age. He racked up absurd receiving statistics at Gooding High School and grew into a tight end’s body. Eventually coaches such as Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh were making the trek to Gooding to recruit him.
Loveland committed to Michigan and never wavered. He went on to become a key piece on the Wolverines’ 2023 national championship team during his sophomore season. Loveland constantly produced in big moments during the title run. His 649 receiving yards that season ranked second on the team.
His statistical production wasn’t quite the same in 2024, but neither was the Michigan offense, which had a hard time replacing departed quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Loveland caught 56 passes for 582 yards and five touchdowns as a junior.
Why did the Bears draft him?
The Bears envision Loveland and veteran Cole Kmet emerging as one of the NFL’s best one-two punches at tight end. With Johnson calling the shots on offense, expect the Bears to use two tight ends at a high rate. Johnson made it clear that drafting Loveland was not an indictment on Kmet’s game. He believes the two tight ends can thrive together.
“You understand that there’s going to be areas where we complement each other,” Kmet said. “And just like any position room, there’s going to be areas that we compete for things. That’s football and that’s how it should be.”
Loveland will give second-year quarterback Caleb Williams a sizable target in the middle of the field who can make plays on third downs. He runs routes at a high level and his hands are elite. Tight end is a notoriously tough position for rookies adjusting to the NFL, but Loveland comes from a Michigan program that runs a pro-style rushing attack. That could help his transition be a smooth one.
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Rookie tight end Colston Loveland watches from the sidelines during Chicago Bears rookie camp at Halas Hall on May 9 in Lake Forest, Illinois. Stacey Wescott, Chicago Tribune/TNS
What his coaches said
Michigan co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Steve Casula has no doubt Loveland’s skill set will translate to the NFL — in more ways than one.
“There’s this impression or narrative that he’s just a big wideout or he’s just a route runner,” Casula told the Tribune. “He was just under 6-6, 250 pounds at the combine. He’s plenty big enough to play in-line tight end in the NFL.”
Loveland’s abilities in the passing game are evident. Casula said Loveland “has the best ball skills of anyone I’ve ever coached.” But Casula believes Loveland’s blocking abilities are underrated.
When Loveland first started to see the field as a freshman, it was because Michigan wanted to utilize him as a run blocker. His production as a pass catcher didn’t really take off until the second half of that season.
“Unbelievable, unmeasurable contact strength and power in the run game,” Casula said. “He’s flexible, he’s got great rhythm to his feet, he plays with good pad level.”
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Bears tight end Colston Loveland answers questions during a news conference after practice on June 10 at Halas Hall in Lake Forest, Ill. Eileen T. Meslar, Chicago Tribune/TNS
What he said
Loveland sat out minicamp and organized team activities this spring as he finished up his recovery from offseason shoulder surgery. The Bears are optimistic he’ll be healthy and ready to go when rookies report for training camp July 19.
During the spring, Loveland was able to participate in film sessions and on-field walk-throughs but couldn’t build chemistry with Williams at game speed.
Loveland noted that he could lean on Kmet during the spring as someone whose lead he can follow.
“All the tight ends have been super helpful, but Cole, that’s a vet right there,” Loveland said. “(He) does everything the right way. Really good at football, really good mentally, really good physically, so he’s a great guy to look up to.”
What he needs to prove during training camp
The first step for Loveland will be getting healthy. If he’s fully back from the shoulder injury when camp opens, he should hit the ground running. He said he already has been catching passes in informal settings. The last hurdle is getting his full strength back in the shoulder.
Beyond health, Loveland needs to show he can adapt quickly to an NFL offense, as both a pass catcher and a blocker. Can he build a rapport with the quarterback in two months of camp and preseason action? Williams won’t throw him the ball if he doesn’t trust him — and that trust takes time to build.
His coaches also need to know they can trust him as a blocker. Perhaps the biggest challenge will be adjusting to the level of competition.
“Every single snap that he plays,” Casula said, “is going to be against other guys that were like Colston Loveland — the best wherever they came from.”
31 historical photos of the Chicago Bears
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Bill Wade played in 59 games for the Bears from 1961 to 1966. Ray Gora
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Ed Brown played in 98 games for the Bears from 1954 to 1961. Chicago Tribune historical photo
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Zeke Bratkowski played in 59 games for the Bears from 1954 to 1960. Chicago Tribune historical photo
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George Blanda, center, played in 115 games for the Bears as a kicker-quarterback from 1949 to 1958. Chicago Tribune historical photo
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Wille Thrower played in one game during the Bears' 1953 season. Chicago Tribune historical photo
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Steve Romanik, shown here in 1951, right, played in 24 games for Bears from 1950 to 1953. Ray Gora
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Johnny Lujack played in 45 games for Bears as a kicker-quarterback from 1948 to 1951. Chicago Tribune historical photo
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Nick Sacrinty, left, played in 11 games during the Bears' 1947 season. Chicago Tribune
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Henry Burris played in six games during the Bears' 2002 season. JOHN SMIERCIAK
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Jim Miller played in 32 games for the Bears from 1999 to 2002. JOSé M. OSORIO
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Shane Matthews played in 20 games for the Bears from 1996 to 2001. JAMES PRISCHING
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Mark Hartsell played in one game during the Bears' 2000 season. John Smierciak
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Cade McNown played in 25 games for the Bears from 1999 to 2000. NUCCIO DINUZZO
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Moses Moreno played in two games during the Bears' 1998 season. JAMES PRISCHING
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Steve Stenstrom played in 11 games for the Bears from 1996 to 1998. TODD PANAGOPOULOS
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Erik Kramer played in 49 games for the Bears from 1994 to 1998. JOHN SMIERCIAK
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Steve Walsh played in 13 games for the Bears from 1994 to 1995. Chicago Tribune
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Rick Mirer played in seven games during the Bears' 1997 season. NUCCIO DINUZZO
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Jim Harbaugh played in 89 games for the Chicago Bears from 1987 to 1993, including the Bears' 1993 Thanksgiving Day win over the Detroit Lions in a low-scoring 10-6 game. Nancy Stone
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Peter Tom Willis played in 21 games for the Bears from 1990 to 1993. Jim Prisching
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Will Furrer played in two games during the Bears' 1992 season. James Prisching
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Mike Tomczak played in 77 games for the Bears from 1985 to 1990. Chicago Tribune
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Mike Hohensee played in two games during the Bears' 1987 season. BILL HOGAN
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Steve Fuller played in 38 games for the Bears from 1984 to 1986. ED WAGNER JR
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Rusty Lisch played in seven games during the Bears' 1984 season. Chicago Tribune
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Bob Avellini played in 73 games for the Bears from 1975 to 1984. Chicago Tribune
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Vince Evans played in 56 games for the Bears from 1977 to 1983. Phil Mascione
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Mike Phipps played in 31 games for the Bears from 1977 to 1981. Ed Wagner Jr
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Gary Huff played in 43 games for the Bears from 1973 to 1976. Ed Wagner Jr
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Joe Barnes played in three games during the Bears' 1974 season. Ray Gora
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Jack Concannon played in 51 games for the Bears from 1967 to 1971. Ed Wagner Jr
“Every single snap that he plays is going to be against other guys that were like Colston Loveland. The best wherever they came from.”
Steve Casula, Michigan tight ends coach
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