The Chicago Bears made a somewhat surprising decision in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. While tight end was an obvious need, most scouts and fans thought they'd take Penn State star Tyler Warren, the consensus TE1.
Instead, they took Colston Loveland, a star out of Michigan who was TE2 on most draft boards. Warren hit the ground running, while Loveland needed some more time, but he ultimately proved they made the right call.
Now, with his rookie season in the rearview mirror, the future star made a somewhat surprising revelation. In a recent appearance on the "Bussin' with the Boys," Loveland revealed that he always thought he'd play for the Chargers.
The Bears may have stolen Colston Loveland from the Chargers
“I think Chargers. Yeah, 22 or wherever they were?” Loveland said. “That was my only visit I had, and then Coach [Jim] Harbaugh really told me, he’s like, ‘You know, if you’re there, we’ll grab you.’”
Of course, chances are the Indianapolis Colts would've taken him if he had been available at No. 12. The Chargers ultimately took UNC star running back Omarion Hampton at No. 22, and it's hard to believe Loveland would've been available by then.
Even so, this selection is a testament to Ryan Poles' vision and the team's scouting department. They didn't go for anyone else's big board; they stuck to what they thought was best for Ben Johnson's offense, even if it wasn't the popular move.
Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers would've loved to have a pass-catching, playmaking tight end like Colston Loveland. He would've been a no-brainer selection, given his familiarity with Harbaugh's coaching and system.
He could've been a true steal at No. 22 in Los Angeles, but the Bears clearly saw something most people were missing when it came to evaluating him. It's still early, but so far, he's looked like the best tight end in his class.
Loveland got off to a rocky start, but he went absolutely nuclear in the final stretch of the season. He finished his first year in the league with 58 receptions on 82 targets for 732 yards and six touchdowns, adding 12 catches for 193 yards in two playoff games.
He has the makings of a superstar, and he should be one of the team's primary weapons, even with the Bears' stacked pass-catchers' corps and Sam Roush's arrival. We've already seen what Ben Johnson did with Sam LaPorta, and now that he's shaken off the early-career jitters, he'll certainly make the Chargers regret not trying to trade up to lure him away from the Windy City.
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