It’s been 64 years since Chicago Bears rookie Mike Ditka became the first tight end in NFL history to record 1,000 receiving yards in a single season. I don’t mention this dated statistical nugget to suggest that 10th overall pick Colston Loveland will follow in Da Coach’s footsteps this season and crack the 1,000 yard mark, but all indications are that in time, Loveland might be the next Bears tight end to reach this impressive total.
In the preseason, Colston Loveland hauled in just four receptions for 34 yards. We’re not talking about a guy who was one of the traditional standouts of the preseason. But there’s a smoothness with which Loveland operates — both on the field and in the karaoke booth — that is apparent the second you see him in his element. And from the sounds of it, the Bears are aware of what they have in the former Michigan Wolverine.
“Loveland is the guy whose name comes up every time I ask somebody about Bears camp,” ESPN insider Dan Graziano writes. “He’s quarterback-friendly. He’s big and fast. He’s polished in his route running. He was healthy to start training camp, so he advanced quickly once August got going. And his connection with quarterback Caleb Williams is said to already be outstanding.”
Additionally, Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic noted that Loveland’s blocking — a question mark as he came into the NFL — has been better than expected, and he also makes a key point… given Ben Johnson’s track record of utilizing two tight end sets and moving his tight ends around the formation in his three seasons as the offensive coordinator in Detroit, Loveland could potentially expect a large target share in addition to an increased snap count out of the gate.
Bears Set to Lean on 12 Personnel
Even though we kicked this thing off with a comparison to Iron Mike, the most logical comp for Loveland would likely be Sam LaPorta. LaPorta was targeted a staggering 120 times as a rookie, and finished his first NFL season with 89 receptions for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns. It helps that LaPorta and Loveland have a similar skillset, and even more so, the very same play-caller who seems to have an affinity for keeping two tight ends on the field.
“I think 12 (personnel) gives you a lot of options, particularly when you have athletic tight ends that can still block,” Ben Johnson said earlier this month, per ESPN’s Courtney Cronin. “You can line up in 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WRs) sets and spread them out, or you can get condensed on down and play big-boy ball. That’s why I think it’s a challenge, this day and age, if you’ve got the guys to defend.”
In 2024, the Lions operated with at least two tight ends on the field on over one-third of their offensive snaps. On those plays, the Lions ranked in the top ten in both passing and rushing EPA. It wouldn’t surprise me if he trotted out these looks with even more regularity in Chicago.
The other tight end who factors into this equation is Cole Kmet, a reliable sixth-year option who set career highs in receptions (73) and yards (719) in 2023. Those who expect that Kmet will be quickly fazed out of Ben Johnson’s offense will end up being mistaken, but with that said, nobody will mistake him as the superior pass-catcher to his rookie teammate.
Colston Loveland Earning Trust From Bears Teammates
It didn’t take long for Colston Loveland to begin earning rave reviews from his Bears teammates. Only a little over a week into training camp, Caleb Williams was already touting his newest weapon.
“He’s smart, he knows what he’s doing,” Williams said on July 30, according to Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times. “He’s a young cat, so there are going to be a few mistakes, maybe hand placement. But when the ball goes up, I’ve got all faith in him.”
Even on the other side of the ball, it was evident right away that Ryan Poles had landed himself a star in the making with the 10th overall pick.
“Being able to create mismatches on linebackers, being able to create mismatches on the DBs that’s covering [him], I mean, I think that’s gonna be helpful for us,” linebacker Tremaine Edmunds added. “Just having somebody that can do that, somebody that can separate, somebody that can get open and just be a security blanket for the quarterback, man. A tight end is a quarterback’s best friend, you know.”
Bears fans can only hope.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post ‘Outstanding’ Connection with Caleb Williams Has Insiders Excited About Colston Loveland appeared first on Heavy Sports.