Introduction to the 2025 NFL Draft
GREEN BAY, Wis. — When Bears general manager Ryan Poles volunteered his prediction that the first round of the NFL Draft could “be a little wild,” he might have been thinking of his own plans. While they didn’t shake up the top 10 quite as much as the Jaguars, they pulled a stunner at No. 10 by picking Michigan tight end Colston Loveland on Thursday.
The Unexpected Pick
Not only was tight end far from the Bears’ most pressing need, but every major mock draft had Penn State’s Tyler Warren ahead of Loveland at the position. Perhaps the real wild card was new coach Ben Johnson, and this seems much more like a Johnson pick than something Poles would’ve spearheaded.
Coach Ben Johnson’s Influence
Loveland said he “loved” Johnson before he even met him just from watching what he did as Lions offensive coordinator the last three seasons and came away from their meeting at Michigan’s pro day last month even more enamored. “The things they were doing — man, really smart,” Loveland said. “Knows what he’s doing. Knows football… I’m the No. 1 fan of that guy for sure.”
Playing Style and Expectations
Johnson schemed the league’s most powerful offense and leaned heavily on formations with two tight ends, hinting at how he might play Loveland and veteran Cole Kmet together. Johnson told Loveland in their meeting that he reminded him of Lions tight end Sam LaPorta, who made the Pro Bowl as a rookie under Johnson. The Lions traded two-time Pro Bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson in 2022, then drafted LaPorta in the second round the next year.
Talent and Background
Loveland, 21, is 6-foot-6, 248 pounds and played three seasons at Michigan. Over the last two, he totaled 101 catches for 1,231 yards and nine touchdowns. He was born in rural Washington and grew up in Gooding, Idaho, where he watched the draft with family and friends Thursday. The Bears plan to fly him in Friday and hold his introductory news conference at Halas Hall before the start of the second round, when they hold the Nos. 39 and 41 picks.
Impact on the Team
Kmet is coming off his least productive season — 47 catches, 474 yards and four touchdowns — since he was a rookie, but was on a promising trajectory before that. He has three years and $34.8 million left on his contract. Based on his talks with Johnson, Loveland expected dynamic formations with him and Kmet on the field together. “You see teams trying to get two well-rounded tight ends that can do a lot and put defenses in a bind, so I’m super stoked to get in there and learn from him,” he said of Kmet. “He’s been doing it for a while, really good at it, so I’m excited. He can be a mentor for me.”
The Draft’s Unexpected Turns
After the Titans opened the draft by taking University of Miami quarterback Cam Ward, the draft did indeed turn dramatic. Once that pick was official, the Jaguars pounced and shook up the draft by trading with the Browns — giving up a second-round pick in the deal — to move up from No. 5 to No. 2 and take Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter. Hunter won the Heisman Trophy last season playing full-time at wide receiver and cornerback and plans to do both in the NFL.
Conclusion
The Bears’ selection of Colston Loveland with the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft was a surprising move that reflects the team’s new direction under Coach Ben Johnson. With Loveland’s talent and Johnson’s offensive strategy, the Bears are looking to create a formidable offense that can compete with the best in the league.
FAQs
- Q: Who did the Bears select with the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft?
A: The Bears selected Michigan tight end Colston Loveland. - Q: What was unexpected about the Bears’ pick?
A: The pick was unexpected because tight end was not considered a pressing need for the Bears, and every major mock draft had Penn State’s Tyler Warren ahead of Loveland at the position. - Q: How does Coach Ben Johnson plan to utilize Colston Loveland?
A: Johnson plans to use formations with two tight ends, playing Loveland alongside veteran Cole Kmet. - Q: What are Loveland’s expectations playing with Cole Kmet?
A: Loveland expects to learn from Kmet and is excited about the potential for dynamic formations with two tight ends on the field together.
