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<\/p>\nThe Chicago Bears spent the first NFL draft pick of Ben Johnson’s tenure as head coach on tight end Colston Loveland out of Michigan.<\/p>\n
Loveland was a somewhat controversial selection for a few reasons. Firstly, there was significant debate about whether he was actually the best player at his position in the 2025 class considering that Penn State’s Tyler Warren was also in the mix. The Indianapolis Colts ended up taking Warren at No. 14 in the first round.<\/p>\n
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Secondly, the Bears already have tight end Cole Kmet and spent the No. 9 pick in 2024 on wide receiver Rome Odunze as a weapon for first overall selection\/QB Caleb Williams.<\/p>\n
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Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland.\u00a9 Tanner Pearson-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Loveland entered the draft process injured. He missed three games for the Wolverines in 2024 after suffering a dislocated shoulder early in the campaign. Loveland battled through that issue to appear in 10 of 13 contests, though he ultimately required surgery in late January to address it.<\/p>\n
The tight end, who produced 56 catches for 582 receiving yards and five touchdowns last season despite his injury and an abysmal pass attack in Ann Arbor, may still have to wait a couple of months before he returns to 100% health.<\/p>\n
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Johnson offered an update on Loveland’s progress during a media session on Friday, May 9.<\/p>\n
“It\u2019s a matter of meeting, watching the tape, walking through — particularly with a guy like Colston right now who\u2019s a little dinged up still. So we\u2019re rehabbing him,” Johnson said<\/a>. “That\u2019s a priority for us, getting him back healthy. Because the sooner he gets back healthy, then we get the full-speed reps, and that\u2019s where it all comes together. So it\u2019s more mental, and we\u2019re going to take full opportunity of the time we have with him over the next six weeks.”<\/p>\n Loveland inked a four-year deal worth $26.6 million<\/a>\u00a0following the draft.\u00a0Chicago also holds a fifth-year team option on the tight end’s contract in 2029 due to his status as a first-round pick.<\/p>\n