© Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Jun 16, 2026 12:00 AM
Updated Jun 16, 2026 1:09 AM
Caleb Williams’ favorite target is poised for a breakout season. Find out where tight end Colston Loveland excelled and can improve going into 2026.
Entering his second year in the NFL, Colston Loveland has an opportunity to cement himself as one of the best tight ends in the NFL. With coach Ben Johnson calling plays, combined with Loveland's athleticism, the former top-10 pick can easily become the Chicago Bears' top pass-catching option in 2026.
The Basics
Age: 22 | Exp: 2 | Draft: [2025, Rd. 1, Pick 10]
2025 Production: 58 receptions, 713 yards, 6 touchdowns (lead the team in all categories, tied for touchdown receptions)
Pro Football Focus highest-graded game: Wild Card vs. Green Bay Packers (90.5 OFF Grade)
- eight receptions on 15 targets for 137 yards
The Tape: Core Strengths
- Loveland is in a tight end's body (6-foot-5, 245 pounds), but he runs routes like a wide receiver. He understands how to attack defenders, using angles and perfectly timed cuts to break free from coverage. He's also someone that can be utilized on deeper developing routes to create explosive gains. Here Loveland gains 22 yards on the corner route.
- He's also a mismatch nightmare for smaller defensive backs and slower linebackers. Loveland's skillset provides plenty of flexibility for Johnson as a play caller, and when the Bears line up with 12 or 13 personnel sets, that forces the defense to adjust, providing the Bears with matchup advantages.
- To bring the game within three points, Loveland is flexed out wide and runs a comeback to the front left pylon. He gets both feet in bounds and secures the catch to convert on the two-point conversion.
The Film Room: Areas for Growth
- One area that Loveland will need to continue working on is his blocking. The Bears' tight end has no issues with effort or his strength, but it's finishing blocking. That's something Loveland talked about during his media availability last Tuesday.
- "I think for example in the run game, it's like a stalemate or just hanging on. The runner's not getting touched, I'm doing my job technically, but it's not good enough to put on tape. I think you need to put dominant and real good stuff on tape, really dominating someone, moving someone. I think that's the next step.”
- This run play against the Packers is a good example of what Loveland highlighted in his press conference. Technically, he did his job, but dominating someone is that next step.
Outlook
With Johnson calling plays, it would be ill-advised to place limitations on what Loveland can achieve this season. He's a polished route runner who creates mismatches and has soft hands at then tight end position.
The Bears have a lot of weapons on offense, but Loveland can easily become Caleb Williams' No. 1 target for the second year in a row.
Bold prediction: Arizona's Trey McBride was the only tight end in the NFL to eclipse 1,000 yards receiving in 2025 (1,239). If Loveland plays in all 17 regular season games, he will join Mike Ditka as the only Bears' tight end in team history to reach 1,000 receiving yards in a single season.
My Notes
Colston Loveland All-22 Film Review
Vs. Packers Wild Card 64 plays
- Inline RT and runs the arrow route
- Motions outside and in line to LT and runs wheel route
- Outside OFF LOS and runs a vertical, gets inside DB, but the ball wasn’t close,
- Motions into the backfield, runs a wheel, vertical out of the backfield, but Kmet just runs with the ball
- Inline left blocking the DE and gets hands on him but his guy ends up making a tackle
- Inline left motion right and goes up to block DB
- Inline left and leaks out quick flare route
- Inline left and quick flare route
- Inline left and goes up to block safety, nice contact on DB
- Slot left on LOS and runs in-breaking route, isn’t able to create much separation off initial move on DB
- Outside right and goes to block CB,
- Inline right and runs flare route right and turns it up when he sees Caleb scramble
- Outside left and motion in and runs stop, hitch route
- Starts left, motions right inline and blocks and helps block DE and then safety
- Inline right and motions left slot and runs in-breaking route, not open, and Loveland helps up Burden after INT
- Inline right and motions left and comes back to run stop route middle of the field.
- Inline right and runs a flare route right
- Outside right and runs a post
- Slot right, runs post and looks back as he bends route as Caleb throws the ball, first catch of the game 22 yards on 1st 10 1:56 left in the second quarter, nice securing ball as safety is there to hit him
- Inline right and blocking 55 alone, good initial strike but gives up edge and gets beat around the corner (1:23 in the second quarter)
- Slot right and runs the slant, crosses LB’s face, good ball placement from Caleb but tough catch to make (not credited with a drop in the game)
- Inline right and block 52 Gary, gives up the corner but gets a piece to wash him out of the play, Caleb forced to escape the pocket because of pressure
- Inline right and motions left, slot left, runs dig over mof but contact from LB may have thrown off timing because Loveland couldn’t make a play on the ball
- Outside left and runs an in-breaking, over route. Loveland gets his hands on the ball, but McKinney knocks it out of his hands, big play negated to start third quarter
- Outside off the line of scrimmage, left and runs a corner route, secures catch and goes to the ground for a 29-yard gain
- Inline right and defense bites on run, leaving Loveland wide open on drag to the left and gains 19 yards on next play after a 29-yard gain
- Inline right and blocks RT end, gets disconnected from the block
- Slot right blocks the man in front and tries to work up, but can’t quite get to the block
- Inline right, chips DE and runs speed out, ball low and diving attempt but inc
- Inline right and blocks ILB, good initial contact but would like to see the finish and stay connected to block
- Inline right and blocks down on LB
- Inline right and motions outside right and runs an arrow route back inside, helps clear space for Swift
- Outside right and runs stop in breaking route and picks up 9 yards on 2nd 9
- Slot left and blocks DB
- Inline left and tries to run a wide corner route, DB has hands all over him and Loveland falls, Williams pressured and throws up a pop-up towards Kmet and is intercepted
- Outside left and motions just off left tackle and runs a seam over route
- Inline right and blocks the DB (No. 33) but bounces off the block
- Inline right and blocks DE all alone, DE did not impact the play at all
- Inline right and runs the quick flare to sideline on 2nd 10, Loveland is open and Williams tries to Odunze on corner route, but the ball was high and inside
- Slot left, chip on DE and stop route middle of the field, he’s open for 5-6 yards on third 10
- Slot right and runs a over, post route but defenders all over it
- Slot left and runs the corner route, nice job of working up field and breakout to sideline as wide receiver clears open grass for Loveland +22 yards on first and 10
- Inline right and motions into the backfield, chips DE before going to left flat
- Inline left and Loveland runs the corner route vs the LB (Walker), well timed up route and good ball placement and pick up of 21 yards
- Inline left and Loveland runs another corner route, this time vs the McKinney, and diving attempt is out of reach
- Inline left and works behind LOS right to block unblocked DE, gets good contact and Swift works his way through the lane for the TD
- Outside left and motions just off LT, runs stop route
- Inline left and runs flare to the left, tries to turn the corner but steps out after 7 yards
- Inline right and runs a stop route just outside the hashes
- Slot left and runs an in-breaking route
- Outside right off the los, motions in but false start Bears
- Outside tackle right, gets in the way of the DE and runs flare to the right sideline on 4th 8, Odunze catch
- Slot left out route
- Inline left and motion right just off RT and runs out route
- Inline right and blocking DE by himself, nice job on 99 handling him
- Slot left and runs the out route
- Outside left and runs the post
- Two-point conversion, inline left and motions outside let and runs quick comeback to the left sideline and converts
- Inline right and looks confused on his route but adjusts to Caleb and he’s open on the sideline but the ball is air mailed
- Slot left and runs stop route in the middle of the field and gains 12 yards after moving upfield
- Inline left and motions right and blocks the DE, good initial pop, DE does get free and gets in on the tackle
- Outside right and runs a post in the middle of the field
- Slot left and runs stop route
- Slot left and runs a seam route, wide open DJ for the game-winner
Comments
Powered by RoundtableBuilt on infrastructure designed for real-time media. Learn more at RTB.io.© Roundtable 2026. By using this site you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy