Rookie TE Colston Loveland Has Completely Won Over Chicago Bears Teammates

The first-round pick for the Chicago Bears in the 2025 NFL Draft was tight end Colston Loveland out of Michigan with the 10th overall pick.

People questioned the decision to take a tight end that high, but Loveland is quickly proving them wrong, especially his teammates.

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Loveland and safety Kevin Byard sat down on a recent episode of "Intercepted with Kevin Byard" to talk about how the tight end has become a safety valve when his team needs him the most. Byard even came up with a nickname for the tight, calling him "3rd-and-Colston."

The nickname stems from Loveland's ability to consistently be available when Caleb Williams and the offense need a big play on third down or throughout the game.

"We always kinda watch the rookies, especially the first-round pick. Kinda see what this guy's made out of," Byard said. "Bruh, I think you made a catch during training camp across the middle, went up and snagged it, looked like you was 12 feet up in the air, and I was like, 'Bro, this guy's gone be nice, bro.' Obviously, the route-running was nice, but I was like, his catch radius is crazy. Jokingly on the sideline, I'd be like, 'It's 3rd-and-Colston. 3rd-and-Colston.' That's your nickname, bruh. I feel like every time we get to third down, I personally feel like the ball should go to you, just because you can line up in the slot, out wide, in-line, and you can route up corners, safeties, definitely mismatch on the linebackers. Kinda just your confidence with like, whenever Caleb or the Bears need to make a play, you feel like you're the guy we can throw the ball to."

There are plenty of moments in Loveland's rookie year that show his growth. The first thing that comes to mind is his touchdown catch that put the Bears ahead of the Cincinnati Bengals with 17 seconds left.

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Loveland finished that game with 118 receiving yards and two touchdowns, in what still stands as his season-high in receiving yards.

You can even look back more recently to the 42-38 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Loveland had 94 receiving yards and one touchdown.

Loveland has become a great complementary player to fellow tight end Cole Kmet and has won over his teammates.

Hopefully, he can continue this kind of production as the Bears close out the regular season and look ahead to the playoffs.

Loveland and the Bears face the Detroit Lions on Sunday in their final regular season game. Kickoff is at 3:25 p.m. CT on Fox.