TE Colston Loveland was a surprise draft pick by Bears last year at No. 10, and now it’s time for stardom

Tight end Colston Loveland’s rookie season was good, but after the Bears traded their most accomplished wide receiver in DJ Moore, they need him to be great.

That was implied from the jump when the Bears drafted Loveland 10th overall last season, making him just the seventh player at that position to go in the top 10 this century. A tight end selected that high is expected to be a total game changer.

There were signs of Loveland’s potential to be that for the Bears last season, especially toward the end of it, but now it’s time for him to become the centerpiece of the passing game. They’re counting on wide receivers Rome Odunze and Luther Burden, too, but coach Ben Johnson made a big bet when pushing for the Bears to take Loveland a year ago.

“We’ve got guys that can go out there and make a play at any time, so … maybe some games I take more or they take more some other games,” Loveland said Tuesday. “Just kind of play it by ear. The best thing is to always be ready.”

Loveland was a surprising pick last year not only because Penn State’s Tyler Warren, who went 14th to the Colts, was generally ranked higher, but also the Bears already had Cole Kmet on a sizable contract. While Warren put up better numbers, Loveland quickly proved to be a good addition for the Bears.

He led them in receptions (58), yards receiving (713) and touchdown catches (six) last season despite finishing behind Odunze and Moore in targets. That included an average of 59.7 yards over the final 10 games.

He meshed well with Johnson’s offensive philosophy and demanding coaching style, too, which he credited for spurring his progress.

“He took a chance on me and asked me to do a lot of things,” Loveland told the Sun-Times in February. “With Coach Johnson, it’s never easy, but I always love when I’m almost intimidated by the head coach a little bit. … If he needs to get on ass, he will, but that’s how we’d all want it.”