Chicago Bears heralded for shocking Colston Loveland decision

The Chicago Bears and general manager Ryan Poles filled a pressing need and added a potentially dynamic weapon for quarterback Caleb Williams with the somewhat stunning decision to choose Michigan tight end Colston Loveland at No. 10 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft over Penn State’s Tyler Warren.

Warren was widely viewed as the consensus top prospect at the position, and offers the positional versatility of a track record of making plays all over the field, and was eventually chosen by the Indianapolis Colts, after the Bears tabbed Loveland.

Still, Loveland arrives in the Windy City as an elite route runner and on the heels of catching 56 of his 82 targets for 582 yards and five touchdowns as the focal point of the Wolverines’ passing game in what became a run-heavy offense.

Chicago Bears praised for Colston Loveland selection

While the Bears’ selection of Loveland might have caught some by surprised, it’s wholly obvious that Chicago was thrilled to drop him into Williams’ supporting cast, and the selection is drawing high praise in the aftermath of Round 1.

Nick Baumgardner and Scott Dochterman of The Athletic give the Bears an “A” for tabbing Loveland at No. 10 overall.

“We’ve been writing for months that the race for TE1 in this class, between Loveland and Tyler Warren, was closer than many thought,” Baumgardner and Dochterman write. “Loveland reminds me a lot of current Detroit Lions standout Sam LaPorta, only bigger. New Bears coach Ben Johnson absolutely adored LaPorta in Detroit, and Loveland will give Johnson and QB Caleb Williams a legit receiving threat in all areas of the field. Warren is the better blocker of the two prospects, but Loveland is absolutely the better receiver. He’s an outstanding fit for everything Johnson does.”

Given head coach Ben Johnson’s reliance on 12-personnel and how he was able to help develop LaPorta into an All-Pro caliber weapon at the position, the Bears should be optimistic about Loveland’s chances of reaching his potential.

Loveland is an elite route runner who should thrive in the space created by receivers D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze on the perimeter, and his presence in the offense just might be exactly what Williams needs to make major strides in his development, as well.

It’s early, and Loveland hasn’t even played a snap of a rookie minicamp practice yet, but the accolades–and excitement for his selection are rolling in.