Chicago Bears rookie outlook: How quickly can Colston Loveland build a rapport with Caleb Williams?

The Chicago Bears raised some eyebrows when they selected Michigan tight end Colston Loveland with the No.

10 draft pick in April.

It wasnt that Loveland wasnt deserving of being a top-10 pick but more so the notion that the team had bigger needs at offensive tackle or on the defensive line.But the Bears are doing things differently under coach Ben Johnson.

The tight end position is a priority.Heres what Bears fans need to know about Loveland ahead of his rookie season.How did he get here?Before the draft, many projections had Penn State tight end Tyler Warren rated ahead of Loveland.

The two play a different style.

In college, Loveland was a surefire weapon in the passing game.

Warren earned a reputation of being more of a jack-of-all-trades tight end who could play out of the backfield when needed and block at a high level.Penn State used Warren in unique ways, and that led to speculation that Johnson could do the same with Warren in his offense.

But Johnson and the Bears made it pretty clear on draft night that Loveland was their preferred tight end.

They had the chance to select either player and went with Loveland.Its not just one part of his game, general manager Ryan Poles said on draft night.

Its really the totality of what he can do for us.

But when you turn on the tape, theres plays being made constantly.

(Hes) a guy that you could feel confident going to in critical situations.Where did he come from?Loveland grew up in Gooding, Idaho, a small town with a population of about 3,800.

His abilities on the football field were apparent from a young age.

He racked up absurd receiving statistics at Gooding High School and grew into a tight ends body.

Eventually coaches such as Michigans Jim Harbaugh were making the trek to Gooding to recruit him.Loveland committed to Michigan and never wavered.

He went on to become a key piece on the Wolverines 2023 national championship team during his sophomore season.

Loveland constantly produced in big moments during the title run.

His 649 receiving yards that season ranked second on the team.His statistical production wasnt quite the same in 2024, but neither was the Michigan offense, which had a hard time replacing departed quarterback J.J.

McCarthy.

Loveland caught 56 passes for 582 yards and five touchdowns as a junior.Why did the Bears draft him?Rookie tight end Colston Loveland watches from the sideline during Bears rookie camp at Halas Hall on May 9, 2025, in Lake Forest.

(Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)The Bears envision Loveland and veteran Cole Kmet emerging as one of the NFLs best one-two punches at tight end.

With Johnson calling the shots on offense, expect the Bears to use two tight ends at a high rate.

Johnson made it clear that drafting Loveland was not an indictment on Kmets game.

He believes the two tight ends can thrive together.You understand that theres going to be areas where we complement each other, Kmet said.

And just like any position room, theres going to be areas that we compete for things.

Thats football and thats how it should be.Loveland will give second-year quarterback Caleb Williams a sizable target in the middle of the field who can make plays on third downs.

He runs routes at a high level and his hands are elite.

Tight end is a notoriously tough position for rookies adjusting to the NFL, but Loveland comes from a Michigan program that runs a pro-style rushing attack.

That could help his transition be a smooth one.What his coaches saidMichigan tight end Colston Loveland pulls away for a 54-yard touchdown reception against Indiana on Oct.

14, 2023, in Ann Arbor, Mich.

(Paul Sancya/AP)Michigan co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Steve Casula has no doubt Lovelands skill set will translate to the NFL in more ways than one.Theres this impression or narrative that hes just a big wideout or hes just a route runner, Casula told the Tribune.

He was just under 6-6, 250 pounds at the combine.

Hes plenty big enough to play in-line tight end in the NFL.Lovelands abilities in the passing game are evident.

Casula said Loveland has the best ball skills of anyone Ive ever coached.

But Casula believes Lovelands blocking abilities are underrated.When Loveland first started to see the field as a freshman, it was because Michigan wanted to utilize him as a run blocker.

His production as a pass catcher didnt really take off until the second half of that season.Unbelievable, unmeasurable contact strength and power in the run game, Casula said.

Hes flexible, hes got great rhythm to his feet, he plays with good pad level.What he saidLoveland sat out minicamp and organized team activities this spring as he finished up his recovery from offseason shoulder surgery.

The Bears are optimistic hell be healthy and ready to go when rookies report for training camp July 19.Related ArticlesChicago Bears training camp includes 11 practices open to public and Family Fest is back at Soldier FieldWhat to know as Bears, Fire and White Sox pursue new homes and Blackhawks and Sky eye expansionAs Chicago Bears separate for summer, Ben Johnson will stay dialed in and connected with QB Caleb WilliamsOzzy Trapilo battles for left tackle but Colston Loveland and Luther Burden sidelined at Chicago Bears OTAsPhotos: What we saw at Chicago Bears OTAsDuring the spring, Loveland was able to participate in film sessions and on-field walk-throughs but couldnt build chemistry with Williams at game speed.Loveland noted that he could lean on Kmet during the spring as someone whose lead he can follow.All the tight ends have been super helpful, but Cole, thats a vet right there, Loveland said.

(He) does everything the right way.

Really good at football, really good mentally, really good physically, so hes a great guy to look up to.What he needs to prove during training campThe first step for Loveland will be getting healthy.

If hes fully back from the shoulder injury when camp opens, he should hit the ground running.

He said he already has been catching passes in informal settings.

The last hurdle is getting his full strength back in the shoulder.Beyond health, Loveland needs to show he can adapt quickly to an NFL offense, as both a pass catcher and a blocker.

Can he build a rapport with the quarterback in two months of camp and preseason action? Williams wont throw him the ball if he doesnt trust him and that trust takes time to build.His coaches also need to know they can trust him as a blocker.

Perhaps the biggest challenge will be adjusting to the level of competition.Every single snap that he plays, Casula said, is going to be against other guys that were like Colston Loveland the best wherever they came from..

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