The Chicago Bears didn’t just make a pick in the 2025 NFL Draft - they made a statement.
Sitting at No. 10 overall, many expected Chicago to shore up the trenches, either adding protection up front or beefing up the defensive line. But as the top linemen flew off the board in the first nine selections, the Bears pivoted - or, more accurately, stuck to a plan that had already been quietly forming behind the scenes. Enter Colston Loveland, the tight end out of Michigan who turned more than a few heads when his name was called.
At first glance, the move raised eyebrows. The Bears already had a reliable starter in Cole Kmet, so using a top-10 pick on a tight end looked like a luxury, not a necessity.
But inside Halas Hall, head coach Ben Johnson and general manager Ryan Poles saw something different - a unique talent they simply couldn’t pass up. And they were right.
Loveland didn’t just contribute in Year 1 - he delivered. The rookie racked up 713 receiving yards and six touchdowns during the regular season, then exploded for 137 yards in a playoff win over Green Bay. That kind of production isn’t just rare for a rookie tight end - it’s game-changing.
But the story of how Loveland landed in Chicago starts well before draft night. In a recent interview, Loveland recalled his first meeting with Johnson during the pre-draft process.
It wasn’t your average sit-down. The session was long, intense, and detailed - a clear sign that Johnson wasn’t just checking boxes.
He was testing something deeper.
Loveland mentioned that he saw similarities in his game to Sam LaPorta, the Lions’ breakout tight end - a comparison Johnson apparently agreed with. That mutual understanding, that shared vision, was a big moment.
It confirmed to Loveland that the Bears were seriously interested. And it confirmed to Johnson that this was a player who not only had the physical tools but the mental makeup to thrive in his system.
This is where Ben Johnson’s approach really stands out.
Plenty of coaches can scheme up a great play or develop talent over time. But identifying the right players in the first place?
That’s a different skill set entirely - and one that not every head coach possesses. When Bears ownership gave Johnson final say over the roster, it was a bold move.
No one in Chicago had held that kind of power since Dave Wannstedt, and that experiment was short-lived. There were questions about whether Johnson, known primarily as an elite play-caller, could handle the grind of roster evaluation.
So far, the early returns are promising - and Loveland is Exhibit A.
Anyone can watch tape or run a 40-yard dash. But finding out if a player can handle the mental side of the NFL - the pressure, the preparation, the grind - that takes a different kind of evaluation.
Johnson’s interview with Loveland wasn’t just about football IQ. It was about resilience, focus, and the ability to process under pressure.
That’s what separates good players from great ones. Johnson knew it, and Loveland proved it.
It’s a reminder that Johnson is more than just a sharp offensive mind.
The best head coaches in NFL history weren’t just tacticians - they were talent evaluators. Chuck Noll didn’t just call plays; he built the Steelers dynasty.
Bill Walsh didn’t just design the West Coast offense; he handpicked the players who ran it to perfection. Jimmy Johnson and Bill Belichick both had a clear eye for talent, and their fingerprints are all over their teams’ championship rosters.
In Chicago, it’s been a long time since the Bears had a head coach who could lead a team and build one at the same time. You probably have to go all the way back to George Halas to find someone who checked both boxes. If Ben Johnson is even in that conversation, then the Bears might finally be turning a corner.
And keep this in mind: Johnson was a key voice in Detroit’s recent draft successes, helping the Lions land Jameson Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs, and yes - Sam LaPorta. If he can replicate that kind of eye for talent on both sides of the ball in Chicago, the Bears are building something real.
Loveland’s breakout rookie season isn’t just a win for the Bears’ offense. It’s a sign that their new head coach might be exactly the kind of leader this franchise has been searching for.