The Chicago Bears snagged a pass-catching tight end for Ben Johnson's offense.
With the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Bears selected Michigan's Colston Loveland.
With the pick, Loveland became the highest TE drafted in the opening round by the Bears since legendary Hall of Famer Mike Ditka in 1961. Ditka was selected with the fifth overall pick. Greg Olsen, at No. 31 in 2007, is the only other tight end to be taken by the Bears in the first round.
"One, for where he is, the dynamic skillset that he has as a receiver, paired with the run-blocking, it's not just one part of his game, it's the complete, in totality, of what he can do for us," general manager Ryan Poles said regarding his comfortability drafting a tight end like Loveland so high, per the team transcript. "When you turn on the tape, there are plays being made constantly. He's a guy that you can feel confident going to in critical situations. Now, we have a lot of them. That, again, puts a stress on a defense."
A smooth, pass-catching athlete, Loveland can create separation on his routes and give the quarterback an easy target. He should have an immediate impact in the Bears' offense, similar to how Sam LaPorta did under Johnson in Detroit.
Loveland's addition continues the Bears building around quarterback Caleb Williams, giving him another first-round weapon at his disposal with wide receivers D.J. Moore (2018 first-rounder; Carolina Panthers) and Rome Odunze (2024 first-rounder; Bears). He'll also join tight end Cole Kmet, whose production waned last season after a breakout 2023.
"I think if you look historically, the impact tight ends have had on young quarterbacks, it's pretty big," Poles said. "Now [Williams] has two of them plus the other guys we have on the outside and in the backfield. I think it's going to be really important. And like I said, when you talk about 12 personnel, you have to match that with usually bigger guys. It creates more space in the passing game. I think there is a multiplier effect that he has on the whole group."
With Loveland in the picture, Johnson should deploy a significant amount of 12 personnel -- two tight-end sets. A pass-catching tight end, Loveland spent the bulk of his time in the slot at Michigan, using his athleticism and 6-foot-6 frame as an easy outlet for Wolverine quarterbacks. In 39 games over three seasons, he generated 117 catches for 1,466 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Loveland earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2023 during Michigan's national championship run. In 2024, despite missing multiple games due to injury, he set a Wolverines record for catches by a TE with 56 as the go-to target, earning second-team all-conference honors.
A fluid route-runner, Loveland is a smooth athlete with good hands and a stellar catch radius. Even with a slender frame, he didn't show fear going over the middle but must improve his snags in traffic. The 21-year-old displayed solid playmaking after the catch, with speed to outrun pursuing linebackers.
Not a bulky TE, Loveland could struggle some in-line in the NFL. He's a workable blocker, but that's not his forte. A slot mismatch, he owns the ability to beat slower linebackers or smaller safeties. In the modern offense, with quick passing games getting the ball out fast, Loveland's ability to win off the line and make catches over the middle or in the flat should make him an immediate quarterback favorite.
It's those pass-catching skills that made Loveland the first tight end off the board, leapfrogging the John Mackey award-winning Tyler Warren, who went to the Indianapolis Colts at No. 14. With three offensive tackles and Ashton Jeanty off the board at pick 10, the Bears elected to upgrade their tight end room and add another threat.
Loveland's ability to win over the middle pairs well with Moore and Odunze on the outside. One thing is certain: Caleb Williams will have plenty of weapons as he attempts to make a Year 2 leap under Johnson.
