The Chicago Bears are finally utilizing their first-round pick from the 2025 NFL Draft, and it is already paying significant dividends.
Surprising Selection in the Draft
Colston Loveland was selected by Chicago with the tenth pick out of the University of Michigan this year, and many fans were confused by the selection.
Primarily, the fanbase believed that tight end was not a dire position of need, especially since Cole Kmet has been a key player for the Bears since 2020. However, an important characteristic of Ben Johnson’s offense is having two tight ends on the field at the same time.
For example, Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright both played significant roles with the Detroit Lions. This helped ease trepidations about the selection despite other, more obvious positional holes.
Loveland or Warren?
Another primary source of confusion was Loveland being the first tight end selected in the draft. Tyler Warren was widely regarded as the best tight end in the draft after posting impressive receiving statistics at Penn State. This included a standout performance against USC, where he had 17 receptions for 224 yards.
Warren was taken just four picks later by the Indianapolis Colts and has had a monster start halfway through the season, totaling 42 catches for 518 yards and three touchdowns. One of Warren’s most appealing attributes is his incredible blocking, aside from his pass-catching abilities, which are aiding in his Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign.
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Loveland, meanwhile, has had a slower start (statistically) to his rookie season. Through seven games, Loveland has just 17 receptions for 234 yards and two touchdowns.
But in his defense, Loveland has a lot more competition for targets. Warren serves as the de facto number one option in the Colts’ offense. Meanwhile, Loveland has to compete with Rome Odunze, D.J. Moore, Olamide Zaccheaus, Luther Burden III, and Kmet.
Regardless, it has been reasonable for Bears fans to question the draft decision, especially while comparing the difference in production between the two.
Big Game Against the Bengals
Despite Kmet’s incredible durability throughout the years, he was ruled out for the Week 8 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals with a concussion. While unfortunate for the veteran, this was Loveland’s chance to show out. And the perfect opportunity definitely arose against the worst-ranked defense in the NFL.
Loveland put up 118 yards on six receptions, two of which went for his only touchdowns of the season. That includes a game-winning, 58-yard touchdown with less than a minute remaining. He bounced off two tacklers and outran the rest of the Bengals’ defense to deliver the Bears a 47-42 victory.
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“He’s exactly what we thought we were acquiring when we drafted him,” said Johnson of his tight end’s massive performance.
Going Forward
Loveland’s performance earned him the NFC Offensive Player of the Week. He is the second Chicago Bear to win that award this season, after Caleb Williams, in Week 3 against the Dallas Cowboys.
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This demonstrates serious growth in the offense compared to past seasons. Kmet has been incredibly reliable for the Bears, but with Loveland’s physique and overall talent, his upside is unimaginable. Games like this are why he was taken tenth overall.
The 47 offensive points are the most scored by the Bears since 2018. Should Chicago continue to implement him in a larger role even when Kmet returns, the offensive ceiling knows no limit.
The defense, however, was incredibly underwhelming. While they are still waiting for the unit, primarily the secondary, to get healthy, the Bears will not win many more games. Especially not when allowing 42 points. In fact, Chicago ranks second in the NFL in explosive plays but last in the league in explosive plays allowed on defense.
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But once Chicago is finally able to put together a solid game on both sides of the ball, this is a scary football team, with a good record in one of the league’s toughest divisions. Moreover, utilizing Loveland, who appears to have broken out in a big way, is a significant factor in creating a consistent offense.
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