Who Should I Start? Sam LaPorta or Colston Loveland

Tuesday, January 20, 7:10 PM

According to The Athletic's Colton Pouncy, blending new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing's scheme with what the Detroit Lions already do on offense could make tight end Sam LaPorta an "even bigger priority in the passing game" in 2026. Former tight ends coach and current head coach Dan Campbell already clearly values the position. Before having season-ending back surgery, LaPorta was having a Pro Bowl season, catching 40 of his 49 targets for 489 yards and three touchdowns in nine starts. Petzing spent two seasons as the tight ends coach with the Cleveland Browns, and he prioritized the TE position in Arizona, with Trey McBride being one of the best players at his position in the NFL. Petzing isn't expected to run as much 12 personnel (two TEs) in Detroit, given the investments made at the position, but LaPorta could be in for a nice bounce-back year in 2026 if he's healthy.

Monday, January 19, 12:02 PM

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson said that rookie tight end Colston Loveland (concussion) suffered a concussion in Sunday's Divisional Round overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams, according to Nicholas Moreano of Watch Marquee Sports. Loveland left the game after making an 18-yard reception in the fourth quarter, and he never returned. The 21-year-old finished the game with four catches on a team-high 10 targets for a team-leading 56 yards in the 20-17 defeat. Loveland got off to a slow start in his first NFL season, but he finished as one of the team's top targets. In 16 regular-season games, he hauled in 58 of his 82 targets for 713 yards and six touchdowns to finish as the TE12 in half-PPR points. Loveland added 12 catches for 193 yards in Chicago's two playoff games, and he'll be firmly in TE1 territory in fantasy drafts this fall.