Colston Loveland’s game-winning play in Week 9 showed exactly why the Bears drafted him amid all the rookie TE debate
The Colston Loveland breakout finally arrived for the Chicago Bears.
When the Chicago Bears drafted tight end Colston Loveland with the 10th-overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, it was a stunner decision that caught a lot of people off guard, and not just because the Bears used a top-10 pick on a tight end.
Going into the draft, there was a lot of smoke around the Bears and Penn State tight end Tyler Warren, whom the Indianapolis Colts drafted 14th overall after the Bears went a different direction.
It was a highly debated decision that continued into the regular season once Warren got off to a hot start with the Colts, while Loveland struggled getting integrated into the Bears’ game plan. But Loveland showed in Week 9 exactly why the Bears are still pleased with their decision.
Colston Loveland’s big play in the brightest lights is exactly why the Bears drafted him
On the final drive of the game, Chicago needed a field goal to win the game. Faced with a first-and-10 with 25 seconds remaining from the 42-yard line, the Bears still needed one last big play to at least get into field goal range.
Head coach Ben Johnson dialed up the perfect play he was hunting against the right coverage all game long, a play designed for Loveland to showcase his explosiveness down the seam. Quarterback Caleb Williams hit Loveland, who then broke off two tackles, and raced down the field for a 58-yard game-winning touchdown.
“Figured it was going to be explosive, wasn’t expecting it to be a touchdown though,” Johnson said of the game-winning play after the win. “I think that was Colston’s speed, just taking off and going for it. It was good to see.”
After the Bears drafted Loveland, Johnson shared the biggest thing that made him gravitate toward Loveland and eventually use his first selection as the team’s head coach to add him to his offense.
“He doesn’t bat an eye; he performs at a high level,” Johnson explained in the spring. “And as we talk about where we’re going as an organization, we’re going to be playing in these big games with the bright lights. We need guys that are going to rise up to the occasion, and he’s going to do that for us.”
This kind of moment, game on the line needing a play, is exactly the kind of moment the Bears, and Loveland, were waiting on.
“We drafted him for a reason,” Williams said immediately after the game. “To make plays like that in the big moments.”
Can we stop comparing Colston Loveland to Tyler Warren now?
This kind of performance from Loveland, who finished with six receptions for 118 yards and two touchdowns, should quiet some of the debate between him and Warren, but can we stop the comparison anyway?
Loveland and Warren are two different style players, in two different offensive roles, and in two different offensive schemes. Both are starting to showcase why they were top-15 picks, and both franchises are thrilled with the way that draft went.
For Chicago, Loveland’s breakout was long-awaited and should continue to look this way going forward. Johnson has full trust in making him a primary target in certain looks, and Williams has full confidence going his way with the football.
With veteran Cole Kmet leaving the game due to a concussion, Loveland’s opportunity in a featured role should likely continue into Week 10. This kid has a bright future in Chicago, and it’s only getting started.
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