The injury bug has stung the Chicago Bears in the past week, but not all has been negative in the Windy City. Even with a banged-up Luther Burden III, the passing game has looked sharp in the second training camp of the Ben Johnson era.
With a little over a week for the team's preseason debut, Colston Loveland has picked things up where he left off last season. The second-year tight end has been unguardable in training camp, and a breakout campaign might be just around the corner.
According to ESPN insider Courtney Cronin, Loveland has been an absolute menace in the end zone. And, while it was just a 7-on-7 period, watching him dominate in practice has become a common sight.
Colston Loveland might lead the Bears' passing game in 2026
"Colston Loveland caught two touchdown passes from Williams while covered during 7-on-7. His second TD grab came in the corner of the end zone with a defender draped over him as he dove to catch the ball," Cronin wrote.
Loveland was a bit of a late bloomer as a rookie. Bears' critics had a field day watching him be a non-factor and even miss games early on in the campaign, while Tyler Warren, the projected TE1 in his class, dominated early on.
Then, the tables turned. Clearly, Coach Johnson took things slowly with the rookies, as Luther Burden III was also quiet at first before going nuclear to close out the season. Now, they've been there, done that, and the team will bring them up at full speed.
Even with a slow start to the season, Loveland wound up leading the team in most relevant receiving stats. Caleb Williams has already taken it upon himself to help him become the best tight end in football, so he should be in for an expanded role in year two, even with the Bears' plethora of pass catchers.
Loveland finished the season with 713 receiving yards and six touchdowns. His playmaking skills and ability to find gaps in the second and third levels of the defense after the catch gave Coach Johnson his new version of Sam LaPorta, though with a higher ceiling and more physical blocking. He's bulked up now, and he should be even tougher to take down in the open field.
Of course, putting up points on the scoreboard won't be everything, and this Bears team must also find some defensive balance to keep building on the first year of the Ben Johnson era. Still, with weapons like him and a bright offensive play-caller, they will love their chances in a shootout every day of the week and twice on Sunday.
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