As the Chicago Bears gear up for an eagerly anticipated 2025 season, much of the offseason conversation has centered on new head coach Ben Johnson, quarterback Caleb Williams, and position battles on the offensive line. Amid this excitement, one name has quietly slipped under the radar. Rookie tight end Colston Loveland, a top ten pick, is now making waves as a potential game-changer for a Bears team looking for red zone answers.
Despite the attention typically showered on first-round selections, Loveland hasn’t been the focus of headlines. That’s starting to change. According to recent camp reports from Chris Emma, Loveland is already forging a strong connection with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. This has been highlighted by multiple red zone touchdowns in seven-on-seven drills. Bears beat reporters Clay Harbor is predicting Loveland will be a “red zone threat” this year thanks to his rare blend of size and speed.
Improvement in the red zone will be critical for the Bears. Last season, they ranked near the bottom in total Redzone touchdowns. As opportunities are expected to increase this season with the new and improved Ben Johnson-offense, the Bears will need receivers and tight ends who can convert those trips into touchdowns.
Loveland may be the answer. Last season, he caught seven passes in red zone situations, four of which resulted in touchdowns. While that total volume may seem small, it’s important to remember that Michigan’s offensive strategy last year consisted of running, running some more, make the defense think you may pass and then run, run again, and then if you absolutely have to, throw. The fact that Loveland was able to have any sort of efficiency is a credit it to his talent.
It’s not just the red zone where Loveland’s skills are set to shine. At 6’5″ and 250 pounds with great speed , he provides Williams and Johnson with a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. But it’s not just his athleticism that will prove valuable in Chicago. In a recent interview, Ben Johnson stated Loveland sees the game with the mindset of a quarterback. For the notoriously cerebral (and blunt) coach, this is very high praise. That bodes well for his integration into Johnson’s famously inventive offense.
It’s not crazy to imagine Loveland’s 2025 impact mirroring Johnson’s former tight end Sam LaPorta’s. LaPorta burst on to the scene as a rookie in 2023 with over 80 receptions and 10 touchdowns. He made the Pro Bowl and was a finalist for offensive rookie of the year. The emergence of LaPorta (in Johnson’s offense) is often viewed as the final catalyst in the Lion’s turnaround. Loveland seems poised to have a similar impact for the Bears.
To that point, Chicago doesn’t need a total overhaul. The Bears already had a number of good skill players coming into this season. With the arrival of better protection for Williams, the Bears’ passing game and offensive efficiency should tick up, especially Johnson behind the wheel. The addition of 2nd round WR Lurther Burden paired with the Loveland should give the Bears the final push needed to leap into contention once again.
For a player once lauded as a top-five overall talent in the draft, it’s remarkable how much of the national spotlight he’s avoided. That may not last much longer if his camp momentum translates to pre-season and regular season play.
Loveland isn’t just another tight end. He’s a true weapon at the position, likely to be targeted both in the red zone and throughout the flow of the game. While injuries earlier this offseason kept him out of the limelight, it won’t be long before everyone knows his name and his talents as he emerges as a key playmaker for the Chicago Bears.
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