Despite a breakout rookie year, the dynamic tight end remains underutilized in Chicago’s game plan. Coordinator Press Taylor reveals why the star’s production plummeted amid offensive inconsistency.
Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland hasn't been very involved this season through two games.
The Bears definitely know how valuable he is when he's on the field. Even fellow tight end Cole Kmet has explained what makes Loveland so hard to stop.
Loveland is coming off a solid rookie season. He led the team with 713 receiving yards and six touchdowns as a rookie.
Entering his second season in the NFL, he was expected to have a bigger role in the offense.
Yet, Loveland hasn't looked like his old self lately. This is no fault of his own.
If we look at the number of targets that Loveland has received this season, he was thrown to twice in the 59-37 win over the Carolina Panthers, and three times in Week 2.
Even with all the success the Bears' offense had in the season opener, Loveland didn't record any catches. He caught his first pass of the year in Week 2 for three yards.
Even running back D'Andre Swift had more targets than Loveland did that game.
Offensive coordinator Press Taylor explained what's happened with Loveland lately at Friday's press conference. Taylor noted that there are specific plays each week designed for certain players and believes that the production will come with Loveland.
"I think Ben even made the point," Taylor said. "I mean, every single week we have all of our guys have their primary plays, and that doesn't mean the ball's going to go to that guy, but it means they know when that play's called, I'm the primary if it all works out. But I think when you have the right mix of guys, they're not as concerned with that. I know the outside world gets very concerned with that, but you know, he had no catches week one, and we scored 59 points, and we win and he was as happy as anybody in the locker room. I think he was disappointed last week because we lost. I don't know that it had to do with the production or the opportunities or the targets. I think that'll come."
It's pretty clear the Bears didn't play their best offensive game in Week 2, so it makes sense that Loveland wasn't very active. Caleb Williams left the game in the fourth quarter with a hamstring injury.
Then, the Bears' offense was led by Tyson Bagent under center. To his credit, Bagent made enough plays to put the Bears in a position to win, but the team lost 9-3.
Loveland is the kind of player who will be happy as long as the team wins, but he needs to have more involvement in the offense.
Teams have a hard time game-planning for someone like Loveland, which helps the offense in other ways.
Most defensive backs aren't a good fit for covering him. Putting a linebacker on Loveland isn't a good idea either. Loveland will win that matchup every time.
Trying to put a safety on him will allow for other receivers to get open.
Pro Bowlers Brock Bowers and Brock Purdy agreed that Loveland will be a problem in the NFL for years to come. It's very early, but his lack of production has been concerning so far.
The Bears need to get him more involved. It will make things a lot easier on the offense.
Now that Williams is out for the near future, Loveland will have a tougher time getting involved.
It looks like third-stringer Case Keenum will start for the Bears on Monday night against the Philadelphia Eagles.
We have yet to see the same Loveland from 2025 in 2026. Hopefully, that will start to change very soon.
