As the NFC North prepares for one of its most competitive seasons in recent memory, ESPN’s team of reporters covering each franchise, Courtney Cronin (Chicago Bears), Rob Demovsky (Green Bay Packers), Kevin Seifert (Minnesota Vikings), and Eric Woodyard (Detroit Lions), were asked to weigh in on a simple but intriguing question: Who will be the best rookie in the division? The answer, overwhelmingly, was Bears tight end Colston Loveland.
Three of the four ESPN reporters picked Loveland, the 10th overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, as the rookie most likely to make the biggest splash this season. Demovsky made the case for Packers’ first-round receiver Matthew Golden, but the consensus among his peers points to Loveland as a potential game-changer in Chicago’s offense. An offense that will be under the creative command of newly hired head coach Ben Johnson.
Why Colston Loveland is Poised to Be the NFC North’s Breakout Rookie
GettyOne reporter on Colston Loveland: “Too good to keep off the field.”
Loveland is walking into a situation that’s tailor-made for immediate production. Johnson, who developed Lions’ tight end Sam LaPorta into a record-setting rookie in 2023, now brings that same offensive creativity to Chicago. For a team that wants to become the best “12 personnel” (1 RB, 2 TEs) unit in the league, Loveland’s fit is seamless. The pairing with fellow tight end Cole Kmet should offer quarterback Caleb Williams a versatile and dangerous arsenal of options over the middle.
“Teams don’t draft tight ends in the top 10 without expecting them to make an immediate impact. With Johnson calling the shots, Loveland could be the type of weapon that Sam LaPorta was for the Lions as a rookie (10 touchdowns),” Cronin wrote.
Indeed, Loveland offers a rare blend of size, athleticism, and route-running abilities that make him a matchup nightmare. His ability to stretch the field and create mismatches against linebackers and safeties will be invaluable for a young QB like Williams, who is looking to take a significant leap in his sophomore season.
Seifert echoed the optimism, noting that while Loveland might not dominate the snap count right away due to Kmet’s presence, his talent will eventually demand attention. “By the end of the season, one way or another, Loveland will have emerged as a force in Johnson’s offense — much as LaPorta did for the Lions in 2023. Loveland will be too good to keep off the field, and he’ll be an important option for Williams.”
Colston Loveland had some memorable touchdowns with the Wolverines 〽️
Take a look back at all 11 from his three seasons with @umichfootball 👇
#TBT x #B1GFootball
The Reality
Ultimately, the comparison to LaPorta might be taken out of context. As a rookie, LaPorta shattered expectations with 86 receptions and set the NFL record for catches by a rookie tight end, an effort overseen by none other than Ben Johnson.
However, that likely won’t happen with Loveland, with plenty of other mouths to feed on offense. But don’t rule out Loveland having an impact on the offense, even if he doesn’t put up the numbers LaPorta did in his rookie campaign.
For the Bears, who are building around their young quarterback and reshaping the offense in Johnson’s image, Loveland could be the final piece of the puzzle. If he lives up to the expectations and the hype ESPN’s reporters are already bestowing on him, he may not just be the best rookie in the NFC North.
