Bear Digest

Colston Loveland’s Rise Took Another Positive Turn During Bears’ Playoff Push

From a breakout rookie campaign to leading the NFL playoffs in receiving yards through two games, Colston Loveland has transformed the Bears’ offense.
Bryan Perez|
Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland (84) takes the field for a game. David Banks-Imagn Images.
Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland (84) takes the field for a game. David Banks-Imagn Images. | David Banks-Imagn Images

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Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears rookie tight end Colston Loveland has become one of the biggest breakout stars of the 2025 NFL season.

Despite the Bears' playoff run ending in the Divisional Round in a heartbreaking loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Loveland ended his first playoff appearance as the NFL's leader in receiving yards through the first two games. He ended the postseason with 193 yards, including a 137-yard wild-card game, which was the most in NFL history by a rookie tight end in the playoffs.

Loveland topped former Ben Johnson protege Sam LaPorta for that honor.

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In the Bears' Divisional Round loss, Loveland totaled 56 yards before exiting with a concussion. Had the top-10 pick stayed healthy for the entire game, Chicago might be on their way to Seattle for a clash with the Seahawks.

The 2025 NFL playoffs were a culmination of a fantastic rookie year for Colston Loveland. The former Michigan standout finished the regular season, pacing the Bears with 713 yards, becoming the first rookie to lead Chicago in receiving since Willie Gault in 1983.

What makes Loveland's ascent especially noteworthy is his developmental trajectory. He didn't top 40 receiving yards in any game until Week 9, but once he found his rhythm with Caleb Williams, his involvement spiked.

His breakout moment came in Week 9 against the Cincinnati Bengals, when he had 118 yards and two touchdowns. He was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week in what was a sign of things to come for the first-round talent.

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It doesn't take long to see why Loveland has been so successful so quickly. He creates separation, he wins contested catches, and he gains yards after the catch. It's all added up to him being Williams' favorite target in critical, high-pressure moments.

As the Chicago Bears evolve from NFL afterthought to legitimate Super Bowl contender, Colston Loveland will be at the center of it all.

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Bryan Perez
BRYAN PEREZ

Bryan Perez founded and operated Bears Talk, a Chicago sports blog. Prior to that, he covered the Bears for USA Today’s Bears Wire and NBC Sports Chicago. In addition to his Chicago Bears coverage, Perez is a respected member of NFL Draft media and was a past winner of The Huddle's Mock Draft competition. Bryan's past life includes time as a Northeast scout for the CFL's Ottawa Redblacks.

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