When the Chicago Bears selected tight end Colston Loveland in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, it wasn’t exactly met with the roaring applause the team may have hoped for. In fact, it was quite the opposite. Social media lit up almost instantly with confusion, frustration, and a dash of disbelief. The prevailing sentiment among a large segment of Bears fans? Why a tight end, and why this tight end?
It’s not that Colston Loveland isn’t a talented player. Coming out of Michigan, he was widely regarded as one of the most complete tight ends in the draft class. At 6-foot-5, with fluid route-running skills, solid hands, and a reputation for toughness, he had checked many of the boxes that NFL scouts prioritize. But this wasn’t just about the player—it was about timing, needs, and perception. And in that moment, Bears fans had a different wishlist.
Coming into the 2025 draft, Chicago had a golden opportunity to shape the future of the franchise. They had the No. 1 overall pick, which they used on quarterback Caleb Williams, a move nearly everyone agreed was the right call. Williams is a generational talent, and the Bears were finally ready to hit the reset button under center with a prospect who could revitalize an entire city.
But then came the second round—and with it, a list of pressing needs still staring the Bears in the face. The offensive line remained inconsistent. The defensive secondary was shallow. Edge rush help was still on the wish list. Wide receiver depth could use attention. So, when the announcement came that Chicago had selected a tight end—particularly with other high-impact names still on the board—it caught many by surprise.
The backlash wasn’t personal. Loveland, by all accounts, is a hard worker and a high-character guy. But the pick was viewed by some as redundant. The Bears had already invested in Cole Kmet, who had signed a multi-year extension just a year earlier and had proven to be a capable, durable starter. Many fans questioned whether using such a valuable draft pick on another tight end made sense when the roster had so many other holes.
The criticism was swift and loud.
“Why are we spending premium picks on backups when our O-line is held together by duct tape?” one fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter, minutes after the pick was announced.
“This team has needed DB help for two seasons. What are we doing?” another posted.
Sports radio followed suit. Chicago’s most popular sports talk shows lit up with callers venting their frustrations. Draft analysts from around the country chimed in, with some defending the pick on the basis of Loveland’s upside and versatility, while others echoed the fans’ sentiment—he’s a good player, sure, but not the right fit at that spot.
From a purely football standpoint, there are reasons the Bears made the move. Head coach Matt Eberflus and general manager Ryan Poles have emphasized building around their new quarterback, and part of that plan includes giving him reliable, big-bodied targets over the middle of the field. In that sense, Loveland could be a valuable asset—he presents a huge catch radius, is a mismatch against smaller linebackers and safeties, and can grow alongside Williams as part of a new offensive core.
There’s also the emerging trend in the NFL of teams running more 12 personnel sets, with two tight ends on the field at once to create flexibility in both the run and pass game. Having Kmet and Loveland together could, in theory, open up the playbook in ways Bears fans haven’t seen in years.
But theory and reality don’t always align. The Bears were a 6-win team last year. They’ve made big moves, including adding wide receiver Keenan Allen and retaining key defensive pieces, but there’s still a long way to go. Drafting for positional luxury rather than immediate need struck many as a misstep—especially when franchise-altering talents were still available.
Further complicating the reaction is Chicago’s draft history with skill positions. For every success story, there’s a Kevin White, an Adam Shaheen, or a Mitch Trubisky. The fan base has developed a certain skepticism—some might call it PTSD—when it comes to drafting offensive playmakers early. Colston Loveland, fair or not, is now stepping into that spotlight with a heavy burden of proof.
That said, not everyone was negative. Loveland does have supporters, and his college resume backs it up. At Michigan, he wasn’t just productive—he was dependable. He played in big games and never shied away from physicality. His rapport with J.J. McCarthy helped elevate the Wolverines’ offense in tight situations. NFL insiders who watched him closely praised his football IQ, his willingness to block in-line, and his natural feel for route adjustments in zone coverage. In another draft, on another team, he might have been hailed as a steal.
Even within Chicago’s own walls, optimism remains high. Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, who joined the Bears after several years with the Seattle Seahawks, sees Loveland as a chess piece who can move around the formation. He envisions a modern, hybrid offense that allows Williams to operate in rhythm and create mismatches on every snap.
“Colston’s not just a tight end—he’s a weapon,” Waldron told reporters in the days following the draft. “We see him lining up in the slot, outside, in-line, motioning around. He’s going to help us keep defenses guessing.”
Loveland, for his part, is handling the noise with grace. He understands the scrutiny. He’s aware of the expectations. And he’s been through this before. Coming out of Gooding, Idaho—a town with fewer than 4,000 people—he was labeled a small-town sleeper, overlooked by blue blood programs until Michigan took a chance. He earned everything. Nothing was handed to him, and that chip on his shoulder hasn’t gone anywhere.
In his first comments as a Bear, Loveland addressed the criticism with quiet confidence.
“I’m just here to work,” he said. “I know what I can bring to the table, and I trust the people who believed in me. I’ve been doubted before. That just fuels me.”
He’ll have his chance to prove the doubters wrong soon enough. The Bears plan to get him involved early in the preseason. If he can build chemistry with Williams, show his toughness in the run game, and make plays in the red zone, the narrative around his selection could shift quickly.
That’s the thing about the draft—it’s a snapshot in time. Opinions are raw. Emotions are high. But real evaluation takes time. Loveland could very well become a fan favorite in Chicago. He could be the safety blanket Williams needs on third down. He could catch eight touchdowns as a rookie and make all the noise disappear.
Or he could struggle, and the skepticism will grow louder. That’s the nature of the NFL. It’s a results-driven league.
For now, the jury is out. Fans are waiting. Watching. Hoping that this pick turns out to be one of those moves that initially raises eyebrows but eventually raises banners. The Bears have made their bet—and Colston Loveland is now part of their future.
Whether it was the right call or not will be decided on Sundays, not social media.
But if Loveland’s past is any indication, betting against him may be unwise. He’s been overcoming doubt his whole life.
And in a city that loves underdogs, that just might be enough to turn “barely approved” into beloved.