Chicago’s 22-Year-Old Tight End is Turning Heads at 2026 Training Camp
The Chicago Bears had plenty of bright spots in their impressive 2025 season. First-year head coach Ben Johnson was exactly what the organization needed, bringing out the best in his players. Quarterback Caleb Williams took a massive leap from his rookie season, throwing for 3,942 yards, 27 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. The new offense helped fuel Williams’ surge and carried the Bears to the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Despite falling short, Chicago is more than capable of returning to the postseason and making a deeper run. One of the weapons that helped their superstar quarterback rise in 2025 was rookie tight end Colston Loveland.
The former Michigan Wolverine became one of the premier selections of the 2025 NFL Draft, marking Ben Johnson’s first selection as a head coach. Loveland’s size and speed caught the team’s attention, and despite needing more help on defense, they chose not to pass on the opportunity to acquire the elite pass-catching weapon. In his rookie year, he caught for 713 yards and six touchdowns, along with 193 total receiving yards in the playoffs. Chicago’s newest offensive weapon made an immediate impact, forging a connection with Williams that became increasingly difficult for defenses to contain. The Bears’ other tight end, Cole Kmet, took a bit of a backseat but still produced on offense and kept defenses wary of both players on the field. Chicago is now nearing the end of training camp and the preseason, and Loveland has only raised the excitement about his potential breakout 2026 season.
The rising second-year playmaker has been a constant name through training camp, consistently catching touchdowns and frustrating the defense. Chicago most recently had a joint practice with the Tennessee Titans, where the dangerous pass-catching weapon kept finding his way into the end zone and was a major standout throughout the day. Loveland has begun to understand the offense, getting open in space and learning where his quarterback can get him the football. The 22-year-old still has plenty of years left to learn and grow, making his found success so far even more impressive. Loveland will remain a name to watch as the regular season approaches, with expectations rising for what he could accomplish in year two. Chicago will also have the luxury of adding another potential difference-maker at the position in rookie Sam Roush, giving opposing defenses yet another weapon to account for.
