Day 1 of the 2025 NFL draft has come and gone. For many, one of the most head-scratching picks was the Chicago Bears selecting Michigan tight end Colston Loveland at No.10 overall. Although some experts had Loveland ranked higher than Penn State tight end Tyler Warren, most Bears fans thought that if the team were to draft a tight end, they would take Warren.
Nevertheless, Chicago ended up with a new weapon for head coach Ben Johnson to implement in Loveland. That said, the former Michigan Wolverine enters the NFL after undergoing shoulder surgery to repair his AC joint in January.
Following Loveland's selection, Bears senior director of player personnel Jeff King was asked if Loveland will be ready for training camp. King said, "We feel good about it", according to Courtney Cronin of ESPN.
Coleston Loveland had shoulder surgery in January to repair the AC joint in his right shoulder. Jeff King said believes Loveland will be ready for training camp. "We feel good about it."
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) April 25, 2025
Bears Provide Update on New Tight End Coleston Loveland's Injury
King's update on Loveland's status drew immediate backlash from fans. Many questioned further why Chicago would draft him if they aren't 100% sure he will be ready for training camp. Some fans even went as far as to complain that all the Bears do is take injured players.
Though this is the second draft in a row they have taken a player coming off an injury ( Kiran Amegadjie last year), it's not as big of a risk. While Loveland is not coming off his best season as a receiving target, the Wolverines had a heavier focus on the run game in 2024 than they did when Jim Harbaugh was their head coach.
In 2024, Loveland had 56 receptions on 82 targets for 582 yards and five touchdowns while averaging 10.4 yards per catch. In his two prior seasons, Loveland had 14.4 (2023) and 14.7 (2022) yards per catch.
As a receiver, the talent is clearly there. He just needs to improve as a run blocker. So, even if many view Loveland as a luxury pick, if he enters training camp healthy, expect him to make an immediate impact in Ban Johnson's offense.