After a dominant rookie season, Chicago's breakout star has earned "Third and Colston" status. Now, NFL elites are forecasting a massive 2026 encore.
Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland had an incredible rookie season, and now there are high expectations for the second-year man.
He led his team with 713 receiving yards and six touchdowns as a rookie. He continued to be a safety valve for quarterback Caleb Williams throughout the year.
It wasn't long before his teammates started calling him "Third and Colston," a nickname coined by former Bears safety Kevin Byard for how reliable the tight end was on third and fourth down.
In just one year, Loveland put the entire NFL on notice. Pro Bowlers Brock Purdy and Brock Bowers are the latest players to get on the Colston Loveland hype train.
Purdy and Bowers were both at the TE U event earlier this offseason and were asked by Super Bowl reporter Cayden Kluber which tight end would break out this season.
Purdy and Bowers both agreed that Loveland was going to do something special in 2026.
Bowers acknowledged that Loveland already had a breakout season in 2025 but believes that we'll see more of the same from the Bears tight end this year.
"I like watching Colston Loveland out here," Bowers said. "I mean, he's already kind of came out, so he's gonna do the same, for sure."
The San Francisco 49ers quarterback had similar comments.
"I like Colston Loveland," Purdy said. "I know he balled out last year, but I think coming off a rookie year, he's gonna have another big year, too."
Getting a compliment from Pro Bowlers like Bowers and Purdy is a big honor.
Bowers has only been in the NFL for two seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders, but he's been to the Pro Bowl both times. He had 1,194 receiving yards and five touchdowns as a rookie, but injuries derailed his 2025 season.
Still, he has been productive since joining the NFL.
Purdy has continued to prove that his "Mr. Irrelevant" nickname doesn't matter. After being the last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Purdy has made one Pro Bowl appearance and been in the running for multiple awards, including AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, MVP, AP Offensive Player of the Year, and AP Comeback Player of the Year.
More people are going to be aware of Loveland and what he can do this season, but another year in Ben Johnson's offense is never a bad thing. The Bears may need to rely on Loveland even more now that D.J. Moore has been traded to the Buffalo Bills.
The sky truly is the limit for Loveland with Johnson calling the plays.
