Chicago Bears first-round tight end Colston Loveland played in the first two series in the Bears' opening preseason game, catching one of two targets for eight yards in the 24-24 tie versus the Miami Dolphins. The 10th overall pick got his first NFL action in Sunday's game with Tyson Bagent and the rest of the Bears' backups. Veteran tight end Cole Kmet is listed as the starting tight end on the Bears' unofficial depth chart and didn't see the field, which is a bit of a worrying sign for the rookie. New Bears head coach Ben Johnson has previously coordinated an offense that produced elite tight end production from Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta. Loveland will need to surpass Kmet on the depth chart and rely on Johnson's scheme and quarterback Caleb Williams' potential to match what LaPorta achieved as a rookie.
Aug 10, 2025 5:03 PM EST
Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland has been making a big splash in training camp. The first-round rookie took first-team reps during Tuesday's 11-on-11 drills. Loveland has been impressive not just on the field, but off the field as well. Recently, head coach Ben Johnson praised Loveland by saying he's thinking more like a quarterback, which is what you want from your skilled players. He continued by saying it's impressive to see Loveland already at this level mentally. The rookie tight end will still have to compete with Cole Kmet for playing time in Chicago. Despite that, Loveland should still see consistent playing time with the way he's looking early in camp.
Jul 30, 2025 9:21 PM EST
The Athletic's Kevin Fishbain writes that rookie first-round tight end Colston Loveland is doing it all in training camp practices and "has already looked the part." Head coach Ben Johnson said that Colston's instincts showed up right away, and he's also proved that his surgically-repaired shoulder is just fine. The 21-year-old was eased into training camp after having offseason surgery, but it appears he's made up for lost time and is impressing as both a pass-catcher and blocker early on. Fishbain writes that he also expects Loveland to gain more chemistry with quarterback Caleb Williams the more they work together. The Bears drafted Loveland 10th overall for a reason, and he has the kind of upside that we saw with Brock Bowers in Vegas a year ago. However, there are plenty of mouths to feed in Chicago and he'll battle for targets next to Cole Kmet. Loveland should be considered a midrange TE2 with upside.
Jul 29, 2025 7:24 PM EST
Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles says that rookie tight end Colston Loveland (shoulder) is "ready to go," according to Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times. Lieser notes that there could be a gradual ramp-up period for Loveland as he recovers from the shoulder surgery he underwent in January. The Bears drafted Loveland in the first round of the 2025 draft out of Michigan. In 10 games last season for the Wolverines, he recorded 56 catches for 582 yards and five touchdowns. Chicago has an established tight end to pair with Loveland in Cole Kmet, so the rookie won't need to be leaned on too heavily right away. Loveland is a borderline TE1 for fantasy, but a healthy and productive preseason could improve his outlook.
Jul 22, 2025 2:46 PM EST
Chicago Bears rookie first-round tight end Colston Loveland (shoulder) says that his surgically-repaired shoulder is 100 percent, according to NBC Sports' Mike Berman. However, when asked if he'll be out on the field when training camp begins this month, Loveland said it's to be determined. Despite having surgery on his shoulder back in January, the Bears took the 21-year-old 10th overall in April's NFL draft. Loveland has high-end passing catching potential, but he also missed all of the team's offseason workouts and appears unlikely to be full-go for the start of camp in July. The Bears will most likely play it safe with their first-rounder, especially since they still have Cole Kmet at the position. Loveland is a great dynasty/keeper target, but fantasy managers in redraft leagues may want to temper expectations for the Michigan product. RotoBaller has Loveland ranked as the No. 15 TE.
Jul 15, 2025 12:52 PM EST
Chicago Bears rookie tight end Colston Loveland (shoulder), who hosted his first football camp for kids last week, remained a limited participant as he's still recovering from offseason AC-joint surgery. "It's been good," Loveland told Aaron McMann of MLive.com. "There haven't really been live bullets flying yet. We'll really know in camp once I get out there, doing a lot more stuff." Expectations are high in 2025 for the Bears, and that goes for the former Michigan Wolverine, too, despite his status as a rookie. It sounds like his shoulder has responded well, but he hasn't exactly been aggressive in his testing of it. The Bears boast an array of talented weaponry to deploy for second-year signal-caller Caleb Williams, and upgraded their coaching staff with the offensive-minded Ben Johnson. Loveland's impact could be spotty due to the excess of mouths to feed, but he has the talent to be a standout early on if he can adapt quickly to the league.
Jul 14, 2025 4:42 PM EST
Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland (shoulder) is currently banged up, but is expected to be ready for the start of training camp. The Bears are expecting big things from Loveland this upcoming season. The organization selected Loveland with their first-round pick in this year's draft. Loveland is still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, but he should be ready to go soon. Scott Blair of Marquee Sports Network, believes Loveland is going to be the primary tight end in this offense. He mentions that Cole Kmet should remain involved, but Loveland is likely to be the primary receiving threat. The Bears do have a handful of weapons on offense, but they wouldn't have drafted Loveland in the first round if they didn't plan to use him. Loveland is currently projected as the second tight end off the board in dynasty formats behind Tyler Warren. There should be Day 1 value from Loveland despite Kmet still being in the mix.
Jun 13, 2025 5:42 PM EST
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson is unsure if rookie first-round tight end Colston Loveland (shoulder) will be a full-go for the start of training camp at the end of July. After having surgery on his shoulder in January, Colston has been able to lift weights, run routes and catch passes, with his final hurdle being getting his strength and mobility fully back. In the meantime, he's getting lots of mental reps as he learns Chicago's playbook. The 21-year-old was the 10th overall pick in April's NFL draft and gives second-year quarterback Caleb Williams another pass-catching weapon alongside fellow TE Cole Kmet. While Loveland certainly has a higher fantasy ceiling than Kmet, Kmet's presence and Loveland's delay due to surgery could mean a slow start in his first NFL season. Fantasy managers in single-year leagues should definitely temper expectations.
Jun 11, 2025 6:08 PM EST
Chicago Bears rookie first-round tight end Colston Loveland (shoulder) hasn't taken part in any of the team's offseason workouts to this point after undergoing shoulder surgery in late January, but he remains on track to be ready to practice with the team in training camp this summer. The 21-year-old is nearly five months into a six-month recovery timetable and has been limited to stretching and light work during mandatory minicamp this week. He can run routes and catch passes but the remaining hurdle is regaining strength in his shoulder. It's good news that Loveland should be ready for training camp, but he's already missed valuable reps, and it's fair to be skeptical about his role in head coach Ben Johnson's offense with Cole Kmet still in the fold. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues shouldn't overpay for immediate production. Loveland is the TE18 in RotoBaller's preseason rankings.
Jun 10, 2025 9:32 PM EST
Chicago Bears rookie first-round tight end Colston Loveland (shoulder) was spotted in uniform during mandatory minicamp this week and could be getting closer to a return after having shoulder surgery, according to The Athletic's Adam Jahns. "I just knew the springtime here, he wasn't going to be available," head coach Ben Johnson said, "and at some point here in camp, we should get the green light." The 21-year-old 10th overall pick back in April has been around the team, but he's missing valuable on-field reps heading into his first NFL season. The Bears obviously like the Michigan product a lot, and the pass-catching TE becomes more attractive when paired with Johnson's offensive mind. There's a lot to like about Loveland long term, but it could be difficult for him to produce consistently with Cole Kmet still around. Losing development time this offseason is not a good start.
Jun 6, 2025 3:24 PM EST
Chicago Bears rookie first-round tight end Colston Loveland (shoulder) was present but not participating during Thursday's OTA practice as he recovers from a shoulder injury, according to The Athletic's Kevin Fishbain and Adam Jahns. Loveland had surgery on his right shoulder in January to fix an AC joint dislocation and isn't ready for on-field work just yet. It's unclear if the 21-year-old 10th overall pick will be ready to take part in mandatory minicamp in early June, but the expectation is that he'll be ready to rock for the start of training camp at the end of July. The Bears still have Cole Kmet at the tight end position, but Loveland should have an immediate big role on offense in his rookie season as long as he's healthy. The 6-foot-5, 245-pounder is an excellent pass-catcher and has a high ceiling at the next level, but fantasy managers in redraft leagues should temper expectations in Year 1.
May 22, 2025 10:39 PM EST
Chicago Bears rookie first-round tight end Colston Loveland (shoulder) has been unavailable during practice during rookie minicamp while rehabbing from surgery that he had on his shoulder in January. While he's unavailable for on-field work, Loveland is focusing on the mental side of things, learning the offensive scheme and developing chemistry with quarterback Caleb Williams. The 21-year-old 10th overall pick in this year's NFL draft is expected to increase his activity by the time mandatory minicamp rolls around early next month, and he should be fully ready to go by training camp this summer as he enters his first year in the NFL. The Bears still have Cole Kmet at the position, but the 6-foot-6, 260-pound Loveland could be Chicago's top pass-catching TE by season's end. As he shares playing time with Kmet in Year 1, fantasy managers should temper expectations in 2025.
May 9, 2025 10:08 PM EST
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Chicago Bears have signed first-round pick tight end Colston Loveland to a four-year, $26.6 million deal. He was one of five draft picks to sign their rookie deal on Thursday, along with new teammate, running back Kyle Monangai. The former Michigan Wolverine is officially a Bear. Loveland did not laud eye-popping stats during his time in college, but he brings a tantalizing blend of athleticism and ball skills to the field. Not only is he versatile -- able to move around the formation to cause mismatches -- but he's also drawn comparisons to Trey McBride and Sam LaPorta, the latter of which would be fitting considering his potential role in a Ben Johnson offense. The Idaho native will likely lose some work to fellow tight end Cole Kmet in 2025, but he's an excellent long-term play and should take over as the team's starter eventually.
May 8, 2025 7:16 PM EST
The Chicago Bears selected former Michigan tight end Colston Loveland with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and Ted Nguyen of The Athletic believes he is a good match for Ben Johnson's offense. "Loveland is a natural fit in the role Sam LaPorta has played in the Lions' offense for now-Bears head coach Ben Johnson, moving all over the formation. Loveland has a burst and runs smooth routes. He can run a wide route tree from the inside or outside," Nguyen wrote. "He'll be able to feast inside against linebackers and safeties. Few second-level defenders who will be able to hang with Loveland's crafty route running and speed." While there's reason for optimism for Loveland in 2025 fantasy football, it often takes tight ends time to develop, and the Chicago pass-catching group is crowded with wide receivers DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, and Luther Burden III. Loveland is an intriguing dynasty fantasy football asset, but expectations should be somewhat tempered in redraft setups.
May 1, 2025 3:44 PM EST