Let’s get one thing straight: Colston Loveland didn’t enter the NFL with a red carpet and a cannon of hype behind him. He wasn’t crowned the next Travis Kelce by draft nerds or sold as the savior of Chicago’s offense. Hell, most casual fans probably couldn’t pick him out of a lineup before Week 9. But fast-forward to Week 11, and the kid has shoved his way into the spotlight with a “here the f*** I am” performance against the Bengals.
Loveland’s rookie season? A damn rollercoaster. Not the sexy kind with record-breaking stats every week — but the real, gritty, climb-your-way-up type. And now that we’re past the halfway point of the season, it’s time to look back, call bulls*** where it’s needed, and give props where they’re due.
Phase 1: A Rocky Start (Weeks 1-6) — Blame the Shoulder, Not the Talent
The Bears grabbed Loveland with the 10th overall pick, knowing he had surgery on his AC joint back in January. Shoulder rehab meant zero OTAs, no minicamp, and a whole offseason spent standing around like a glorified cheerleader. So when the games started? Of course he looked out of sync. Ben Johnson’s offense isn’t exactly plug-and-play, especially not for a tight end trying to learn NFL speed while knocking off rust.
Through six weeks: 5 catches. 54 yards. Zero touchdowns. Route participation was barely cracking 45%. And while fans screamed for more TE usage, Cole Kmet was busy justifying his $50M contract with solid vet play.
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Was Loveland underwhelming early? Sure. Was it a surprise? Not even a little.
Phase 2: The Warm-Up (Weeks 7-8) — The Spark Flickers
Mid-October hit, and things started clicking. Snap count bumped up. Caleb Williams began looking his way more. The box score didn’t scream breakout, but 6 catches for 62 yards over two games was real progress. More importantly, Ben Johnson straight-up said the lack of tight end involvement was on him.
That quote matters. It signaled a shift. It meant Loveland was about to eat.
Phase 3: Welcome to the Show (Weeks 9-11) — Explosion Mode Activated
Then came Week 9 against the Bengals. Kmet was out, the lights were bright, and Loveland said, “Give me the damn ball.” Seven targets. Six catches. 118 yards. Two touchdowns. One massive 58-yard game-winner that should be in every rookie highlight reel from now until eternity.
He joined some elite company that day — Willie Gault, Marty Booker, and Mike Ditka-level stuff. But what really slapped was what came after. This wasn’t a one-hit wonder. Loveland kept producing even after Kmet came back. He averaged over 70 yards a game over the next two weeks. His route share climbed over 55%. He looked like a dude who belonged.
Colston Loveland’s week-by-week receiving yards showing his explosive Week 9 breakout performance of 118 yards with 2 touchdowns against Cincinnati
The Numbers Don’t Lie — But They Do Need Context
Here’s what Loveland’s cooked up through Week 11:
24 receptions
329 yards
2 TDs
72.7% catch rate (3rd among rookie TEs)
Zero. F***ing. Drops.
13.7 yards per catch
1.69 YPRR
142 YAC (6.1 per catch)
That’s not volume monster territory like Sam LaPorta or Brock Bowers, but Loveland’s usage started late. He didn’t get those early-season gimmies. And despite sharing targets with DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, D’Andre Swift, and Kmet, he’s made every opportunity count.
Statistical comparison of Colston Loveland’s first 11 weeks against elite rookie tight ends from recent NFL history, showing where he ranks in key receiving categories
Why This Matters: Efficiency Over Hype
This is a rookie tight end playing in a crowded, well-coached, top-10 offense. He’s not supposed to be lighting up the scoreboard every week. But he is doing the important s***:
Getting open (96th percentile separation rate from Michigan is translating)
Making clutch plays (game-winner vs. Cincy)
Blocking his ass off when needed (Ben Johnson doesn’t hand out snaps for fun)
When you put it all together, Loveland’s not just surviving — he’s ascending.
Projecting the Rest of 2025: Somewhere Between Steady and Special
Real talk? We’re probably not getting 1,000 yards and double-digit TDs this year. The Bears have a rough schedule ahead and a lot of mouths to feed. But Loveland’s upward trend is real.
Realistic End-of-Season Line: 45-52 catches, 625-700 yards, 4-6 TDs.
That’s not LaPorta-level, but it’s better than 90% of rookie tight ends over the last decade. It’s Pat Freiermuth. It’s Hunter Henry. It’s rock-solid with upside for way more.
Projected season finish scenarios for Colston Loveland ranging from conservative to optimistic estimates, with Sam LaPorta’s 2023 rookie season as a comparison benchmark
The 2026 Forecast: Fire Incoming
Now imagine this:
Full offseason
No injury recovery
Full Ben Johnson install
Caleb Williams fully cooked
That’s a recipe for Loveland to jump to 70-85 catches, 850-1,000 yards, and 7-10 touchdowns. Top-10 TE range. Pro Bowl whispers. Legit fantasy football weapon.
And the Bears? They finally have a tight end who can win games, not just move chains.
Final Verdict
Colston Loveland didn’t blow the doors off the NFL in September. But he planted the seeds of a long-ass, productive career. He’s tough. He’s polished. He’s smart. And he just showed he can take over a damn game when the lights are brightest.
He’s not a flash. He’s a foundation.
Bears fans — strap in. You might’ve just found your next great tight end.