The Chicago Bears have one of the most expensive defenses in the NFL and one of the most stacked groups of young skill-position players on offense heading into the 2025 campaign.
This summer has been about remaking the team in the image of head coach Ben Johnson, which has spilled over into personnel decisions. One such decision involved selecting tight end Colston Loveland out of Michigan with the No. 10 overall pick in the first round of the draft.
The choice was a somewhat interesting one, given the presence of $50 million tight end Cole Kmet already on the roster and under contract through 2027. Scott Bair of Marquee Sports Network predicted last week that Loveland will usurp Kmet as the top option in the position group during his rookie campaign.
“Loveland said the plan is for him to be ready to start camp, which would be ideal. That affords plenty of time to get ready for the regular season,” Bair wrote. “I do think Cole Kmet will be heavily involved in this offense, but Loveland should be the primary tight end in the passing game and a real weapon over the course of the season.”
Moe Moton of Bleacher Report added his take on the position battle a few days later.
“When a team uses a top-10 pick on a tight end, it should be a no-brainer that he takes on a prominent role, but Colston Loveland’s rookie outlook seems a bit blurry with sixth-year veteran Cole Kmet on the roster,” Moton wrote on June 19. “Kmet is a proven playmaker in the passing game, registering at least 50 catches in three of his five seasons.”
Colston Loveland, Cole Kmet Both Primed for Big Years in Bears’ Offense
Johnson likes to use two-tight end sets, which means that Chicago will likely lineup with Loveland and Kmet in the game frequently.
Kmet finished last season with 47 receptions for 474 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Loveland put up 56 catches for 582 receiving yards and five touchdowns across 10 games played at Michigan in 2024.
Both players should benefit from a Bears offense in 2025 that should be more focused on creating a strong pass attack, and also more capable of doing so from personnel and schematic perspectives, than their previous rosters/coaching staffs.
Bears Will Pair Colston Loveland, Cole Kmet With Talented Group of Wide Receivers
The two will play alongside wide receivers DJ Moore and Rome Odunze, the latter of whom was the No. 9 overall pick in the 2024 draft.
Chicago also drafted slot receiver Luther Burden III with the No. 39 pick in the second round back in April. However, Burden is currently dealing with a soft tissue injury and has missed several weeks of preseason work as a result. It is unclear if he will be healthy enough to go when training camp begins in July.
Even with the influx of talent on the offensive side, there should be plenty of opportunity to go around, as Johnson will certainly look to air out the football frequently with second-year quarterback Caleb Williams under center.
