Chicago Bears TE Colston Loveland on surprise draft and breakout rookie season

Chicago Bears selected tight end Colston Loveland with the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, a move that surprised fans and the player himself. Loveland had expected to be taken by the Los Angeles Chargers, the team coached by his former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, because the only pre‑draft meeting he had with the Bears was at his Michigan pro day. He confirmed in a recent interview that the Bears' choice caught him off guard.

After a slow start caused by a Type V AC‑joint shoulder injury, Loveland finished his rookie year with 713 receiving yards and six touchdowns. He became quarterback Caleb Williams' preferred target in the playoffs, catching a team‑high 25 passes across two postseason games. His 137‑yard, eight‑reception performance in the Wild‑Card victory over the Green Bay Packers made him the first rookie tight end to record over 100 receiving yards in a playoff game.