The Chicago Bears surprised many when they selected Michigan tight end Colston Loveland with the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Most draft experts thought that if the Bears were going to pick a tight end that high, it would be Penn State’s Tyler Warren. While fans and analysts were intrigued by the pick, some were puzzled given the team’s other pressing needs.
Veteran tight end Cole Kmet, who signed a four-year, $50 million extension with $32 million guaranteed in July 2023, hadn’t commented publicly on the selection—until now.
Speaking to the media on June 3 after the Bears first day of mandatory mini-camp, Kmet admitted he was initially “taken back a little bit” by the team’s decision to draft Loveland. He added that head coach Ben Johnson called him soon after to explain the reasoning behind the pick and share the team’s vision.
Kmet kept a positive mindset, saying he looks forward to forming the league’s best 12-personnel package with Loveland.
Subscribe to the [BFR Youtube channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyLW3yO6FXCBQRdu5G5VbQg) and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
Kmet’s reaction is understandable, but in the end, he and Loveland are different players who can complement each other. Adding Loveland should ultimately help quarterback Caleb Williams—and while it inevitably creates more competition in the tight end room, that could bring out the best in everyone.
