Colston Loveland is primed and ready to become the engine of the Bears offense in 2026 as a budding star at his position
The Chicago Bears offense will be relying on young weapons to step up in 2026 headlined by 2025 first-round pick Colston Loveland, who’s already emerging as a top weapon and player at his position.
The Chicago Bears made a major decision earlier in the offseason when the front office traded away veteran wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills. A trade that left a void in the team’s offense that the young talent will now have to work collectively to fill.
“D.J., he’s a pro,” Bears quarterback Caleb Williams said on Monday. “He’s been that since he’s been in the league. And so, on the football side of it, obviously you’re going to miss him out there making plays for you, for me and for the team.”
The Bears now turn to tight end Colston Loveland and wide receivers Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III to lead the team’s passing attack alongside veterans Cole Kmet and Kalif Raymond.
It’s still going to be a hungry group with plenty of mouths for head coach Ben Johnson to keep fed in 2026. And if 2025 was any indicator of what’s to come, Loveland will be the real engine of this offense next season.
Colston Loveland is ready to step up as Chicago’s top offensive weapon in Year 2
When the Bears selected Loveland with the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, they expected to land a game-changer that can shine on the biggest stages and in the biggest moments. As a rookie Loveland showcased those qualities after leading the team in receptions (58), receiving yards (713) and touchdowns (6) including a game-winning play against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Going into Year 2, Loveland is primed to be the engine of the Bears’ entire offense, even beyond the passing game. He’s firmly established what kind of threat he can be that defenses need to account for.
“I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Loveland told reporters on Tuesday. “That means I’m doing something right and I gotta continue to do that. But, like I said, we got weapons. Whether you want to focus in on one dude or not, there’s weapons all over.”
Colston Loveland is going to be a do-it-all player for the Bears
With Loveland, it’s more than being a top pass catcher. The second-year tight end is going to be an every down threat for this team both as a receiver and as a blocker that Johnson can deploy in numerous different ways.
“I think Colston can do a lot of things,” Johnson said. “He’s going to be a weapon for a long time in terms of the passing game. He does a phenomenal job in our running game. I think he’s been a key component in terms of where we’ve been able to line him up and what he’s been able to do in terms of blocking linebackers and defensive ends at times, and then even in pass [protection], we’ve asked him to do that a few times as well and he’s done a great job. . .
“I see him as a complete tight end and I think that’s what makes him so dangerous is because he can wear so many hats. He’s not just a one-trick pony.”
By the end of this upcoming season, the entire league will view Loveland as one of the top tight ends in the game. He’s got a big year ahead of him and all the opportunity in the world to be the driving force for this entire offense.