The Chicago Bears walked away from the 2025 NFL Draft with one of the most versatile rookie hauls in recent memory. From explosive playmakers to trench disruptors, the team added key contributors on both sides of the ball. But amid all the offseason buzz and shifting depth chart projections, one rookie has already found himself on a national radar before taking a single professional snap—and it’s not the guy you might expect.
NFL.com analyst and editor Gennaro Filice—known for his sharp roster breakdowns and big-picture evaluations—just dropped his 2025 NFL All-Rookie Team: Projecting 11 Instant-Impact Newcomers on Offense. Among the spotlighted names?
Rookie tight end Colston Loveland
Rookie tight end Colston Loveland
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Bears tight end Colston Loveland, a name that’s quietly starting to gain steam.
'Standing 6-6, 241 pounds, Loveland is a tight end who runs routes with the fluidity of a wideout. That’s what makes him special. And that’s what made Sam LaPorta a rookie Pro Bowler under Ben Johnson in Detroit, so it stands to reason that Johnson will get the most out of Loveland in Chicago.
With Cole Kmet in place to handle traditional in-line work, Johnson can let his beautiful football mind run wild when it comes to scheming up touches for his new toy. The Bears have a lot of mouths to feed in the passing game, but I anticipate this supersized separator will get a fair share of attention from young quarterback Caleb Williams.'
Loveland made his name in the Big Ten as a walking mismatch—too quick for linebackers, too physical for safeties, and almost always open when it mattered. Whether it was a seam route up the hash or a quick out on third-and-medium, he delivered in big moments. Now, the Bears hope that savvy translates on Sundays.
Ben Johnson seems more than ready to make it happen. Reports out of Halas Hall suggest he has big plans for both of his tight ends, with early installs already showing flashes of 12 personnel packages. Johnson isn’t just a coordinator turned head coach—he’s a matchup scientist. And when he’s got chess pieces like Loveland and Kmet? Expect him to press every advantage.
If this projection pans out, Loveland won't just be a rookie contributor—he could become one of Caleb Williams’ most trusted safety valves. In an offense brimming with speed and potential, it’s the quiet, calculated routes of this Michigan product that might cause the loudest problems for opposing defenses.