Loveland’s breakout year came after he missed all offseason practices while recovering from surgery to repair a shoulder injury he had sustained in 2024 while playing at Michigan.
After averaging 1.8 catches and 19.3 yards with no touchdowns in six games played in September and October, Loveland averaged 4.9 receptions and 65.8 yards with six TDs in the Bears’ final 12 contests, including the postseason.
“When we drafted him, he was still coming off the injury,” Johnson said. “He really missed the springtime, and in training camp you’re trying to be smart in terms of how you’re acclimating him not just to the offense, but physically making sure his shoulder is good to go. It did take a little bit of time before we built that trust with him. So, a little bit of a slower start early in the year, and then it’s just kind of picked up and it’s clicked for us.
“He’s one of the first ones in the building every single day. He is always studying his playbook while he’s eating breakfast. He is always the last one off the practice field, doing the JUGS machine. Model of consistency, which for a rookie speaks volumes. As a coaching staff I know we really believe in him, and he is really just scratching the surface of what he’s going to become.”
Loveland’s most impactful regular-season game came Nov. 2 in Cincinnati when he caught six passes for 118 yards and his first two NFL touchdowns, including a 58-yarder with just :17 remaining that turned a 42-41 deficit into a thrilling 47-42 victory. Running a deep seam route, he caught a perfect pass from Williams at the Bengals’ 35, bounced off one defender and outraced two others to the end zone.