Following a dominant rookie campaign, a Bears player is primed to capitalize on a shifting NFC landscape and secure All-Pro honors within Chicago’s explosive offense.
The Chicago Bears have had roster turnover this offseason, but their young core remains largely the same.
Caleb Williams is obviously back as the starting quarterback, with the running back tandem of D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai behind him. Although D.J. Moore was traded to the Buffalo Bills, Rome Odunze and Luther Burden are back.
Then, the Bears return one of the best rookies from last season in tight end Colston Loveland. Loveland led the team with 713 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
With how productive he was on third down, it's no wonder that he earned the nickname "3rd and Colston" from his teammates.
He enters his second season in the NFL with some big expectations already being put on him before the first game.
PFF's Bradley Locker released a list of players who could be in the running for All-Pro this upcoming season. In no particular order, he listed Loveland, Justin Herbert, De'Von Achane, Joey Porter Jr., DeVonta Smith, Chase Young, Byron Murphy II, Edgerrin Cooper, Paris Johnson Jr., and Kam Kinchens.
For Loveland, he believed that a declining Travis Kelce and uncertainty surrounding George Kittle following his Achilles tear in the playoffs open the door for the Bears' tight end to take home NFL honors.
"The Bears’ offense exploded last season, placing ninth in success rate during Ben Johnson’s first year," Locker said. "A significant part of that improved efficiency was Loveland, who looked unstoppable late in the season. Indeed, Loveland’s 86.9 PFF receiving grade was the second-best among qualified tight ends from Week 9 onward, as were his 34 first downs gained. On an offense full of young — and somewhat unproven — playmakers, Chicago will assuredly continue to funnel the ball through the game-changing Loveland this season. With Travis Kelce declining of late and George Kittle’s status uncertain after suffering a torn Achilles in the playoffs, Loveland should be firmly in the All-Pro mix alongside Trey McBride and Brock Bowers.
After finishing with at least 1,000 receiving yards from 2016-2022, Kelce's numbers have taken a hit. He had 984 receiving yards in 2023, followed by 823 in 2024 and 851 last season.
Kittle has been a major weapon for the San Francisco 49ers' offense, but there's no telling when he'll be able to play for the first time in 2026.
It could very well be young tight ends like Loveland, Brock Bowers and Trey McBride who step into the spotlight this season and make an even bigger name for themselves.
After what Loveland was able to do for the Bears as a rookie, the sky is truly the limit. Who knows? Maybe there are NFL honors in his future.
