Colston Loveland didn’t just flash potential in his rookie season - he delivered. The No. 10 overall pick in the 2025 draft quickly emerged not just as a promising piece for the future, but as a legitimate playmaker in the now. For a Bears offense that finally found its rhythm late in the year, Loveland was a key part of that surge, and it’s clear he’s not done climbing.
The Bears knew they were getting a talented tight end when they drafted Loveland, but what they’ve seen so far might even exceed those expectations. He’s already shown the kind of athleticism, catch radius, and field-stretching ability that’s rare at the position. And when you combine that with his poise and polish as a rookie, it’s easy to see why he’s being penciled in as a long-term cornerstone of Chicago’s offense.
But with Loveland’s rapid rise comes a tough question: What happens now with Cole Kmet?
Kmet has been a steady presence for Chicago over the past six seasons, starting 91 of 100 games and giving the Bears a reliable target in the middle of the field. He earned a four-year, $50 million extension in 2023, a deal that runs through 2027. But the emergence of Loveland changes the equation in a big way.
From a financial standpoint, moving on from Kmet this offseason - whether by trade or release with a post-June 1 designation - would free up $10 million in cap space while leaving behind just $1.6 million in dead money in each of the next two years. That’s a significant chunk of flexibility, especially when you’ve got a younger, cheaper, and arguably more dynamic option already on the roster.
Statistically, Loveland’s rookie campaign holds up well next to Kmet’s 2023 breakout. The two posted nearly identical yardage and each scored six touchdowns.
Loveland did it in one fewer game and with 15 fewer receptions, which speaks to his efficiency and big-play ability. Simply put, he’s bringing a level of explosiveness to the position that Kmet hasn’t consistently shown at the NFL level.
That’s not a knock on Kmet - he’s been a solid contributor and a respected leader in the locker room. But Loveland is operating on a different level.
He’s shown the ability to stretch the field, create mismatches, and make contested catches in traffic. His ceiling is high, and Bears head coach Ben Johnson seems to recognize that.
Loveland played a key role in helping Chicago return to the playoffs for the first time since 2020, and there’s a strong sense that he’s only scratching the surface of what he can become.
There’s also a bit of poetic symmetry here. Not too long ago, Kmet was the young up-and-comer, a second-round pick who eventually overtook veteran Jimmy Graham for the starting role. Now, the cycle continues, with Loveland stepping into the spotlight and potentially pushing Kmet out of it.
That’s the nature of the NFL - it’s a league built on competition, development, and tough decisions. And while parting ways with a dependable veteran like Kmet wouldn’t be easy, the Bears may be looking at a situation where the future is already here - and his name is Colston Loveland.