As the Chicago Bears gear up for their NFC Divisional Round showdown under the lights against the Rams, offensive coordinator Declan Doyle took the mic this week to talk shop-and one name kept coming up: Colston Loveland.
If you’ve been watching the Bears this postseason, you’ve seen it. Loveland isn’t just fitting in; he’s becoming a focal point.
The rookie tight end has emerged as a key piece in an offense that currently leads all playoff teams in total yardage. And according to Doyle, Loveland’s rapid rise hasn’t been some overnight fluke-it’s the product of consistency, preparation, and a whole lot of trust.
“He has really maintained the same type of temperament in the building, just the process,” Doyle said. “His growth is just a byproduct of that. I think the more that he plays, the more confidence he has.”
That quiet confidence has translated into game-breaking production. Loveland’s performance in the Wild Card win over the Packers was eye-opening: 137 receiving yards on eight catches, both career highs, and more targets than any other Bear.
It wasn’t just a breakout-it was a statement. The kid can ball, and he’s doing it when it matters most.
What’s striking is how seamlessly Loveland has grown into his role. Early in the year, there were natural questions-how quickly could he adapt to the speed of the NFL?
Could he become a reliable option in a system that demands a lot from its tight ends? Those questions have been answered emphatically.
The Bears didn’t just find a contributor-they found a difference-maker.
“He’s obviously far from a rookie now,” Doyle added. “This is gonna be, I think this is our 22nd game or something like that, but he is an NFL player, he’s an NFL tight end, and he’s proven that he can be really good in big moments.”
And that’s the key: big moments. Loveland isn’t padding stats in garbage time.
He’s making plays in high-leverage situations, helping drive an offense that’s clicking at just the right time. Whether it’s finding soft spots in zone coverage or outmuscling defenders in tight windows, he’s showing the kind of versatility and poise you rarely see in a first-year player.
Part of what makes Loveland’s emergence so valuable is how he complements veteran tight end Cole Kmet. Together, they give the Bears a dynamic one-two punch at the position-Kmet bringing experience and physicality, Loveland adding athleticism and a vertical threat. It’s a pairing that’s quietly become one of the more effective tight end tandems in the league.
And credit where it’s due: head coach Ben Johnson’s system has created the right environment for a young player like Loveland to thrive. The attention to detail, the emphasis on process, the culture of accountability-it’s all showing up on the field.
So as the Bears prepare for their biggest game of the season, Loveland isn’t just a promising rookie anymore. He’s a legitimate weapon. And if his trajectory continues, he may not just be a key piece of this playoff run-he could be a cornerstone for years to come.