At the start of the 2025 season, it didn’t look like Ryan Poles’ latest draft class was going to move the needle much for the Chicago Bears. The rookies were quiet out of the gate, and for a while, it felt like the group might be headed for a forgettable debut campaign. But then Colston Loveland happened.
The first-round tight end flipped the narrative in a big way, and it started with a breakout performance against the Bengals - over 100 yards and two touchdowns in a statement win. That wasn’t just a flash in the pan. It was the beginning of a coming-out party for a player who’s now firmly entrenched as one of the Bears’ most important offensive weapons.
Loveland, once prematurely labeled a bust by some, ended his rookie season as Chicago’s leading receiver. And when the lights got brighter in the postseason, he didn’t blink.
In the NFC Wild Card game against the Packers, he led the team in receiving yards during a 31-27 comeback win that had Soldier Field rocking. His performance was so commanding that head coach Ben Johnson didn’t hesitate when asked about his young tight end.
“I see him as a complete tight end,” Johnson said - and he wasn’t just throwing out coach-speak.
Loveland’s numbers back it up: 58 catches, 713 yards, and six touchdowns over 16 games. Then, in his playoff debut, he took it up a notch with eight catches for a career-high 137 yards. That’s not just solid production - that’s game-changing impact from a rookie tight end, a position that traditionally takes time to develop.
What makes Loveland stand out isn’t just the stat line. It’s how he’s doing it.
He’s not just a pass-catching specialist or a glorified wideout in a tight end’s body. He’s a true dual-threat.
His route running improved week by week, his hands proved reliable in traffic, and he held his own in the trenches as a blocker. That’s the kind of versatility that earns trust from quarterbacks and coaches alike - and creates matchup nightmares for defenses.
Right now, Loveland isn’t just the Bears’ top tight end - he might already be their top pass catcher, period. That reality is reshaping the offense and, frankly, the future of the position in Chicago. With Loveland ascending, it’s becoming clearer that Cole Kmet’s time in navy and orange may be winding down.
No one expected this level of production from Loveland in year one. But now?
The conversation has shifted. It’s no longer about whether he can hang in the NFL - it’s about how high his ceiling really is.
Could he one day join the ranks of elite tight ends like George Kittle or Travis Kelce? That’s a lofty bar, but Loveland’s rookie year suggests it might not be out of reach.
One thing’s for sure: the Bears found a gem. And if this is just the beginning, Chicago fans have every reason to be excited.