If you're reading this and you're also Bears tight end Cole Kmet, I'd suggest stopping right about now. There's nothing for you in this blog, Cole.
For everyone else, I come with good news: the Colston Loveland hype is real. Loveland – the Bears' first pick in this year's draft – hasn't been on the field much yet, but that's not stopping anyone from letting their expectations run wild. That's what this time of the year is meant for.
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The latest example comes from our friends at ESPN, who dropped a big NFC North roundup/roundtable/roundanything this week. In it, the reporters for each team are asked who they think the best rookie in the NFC North is; three out of the four picked Loveland. (I bet you can guess which team's reporter didn't!)
ESPN's convinced that Colston Loveland will be the best rookie in the NFC North this year
"Cronin: Teams don't draft tight ends in the top 10 without expecting them to make an immediate impact. With Johnson calling the shots, Loveland could be the type of weapon that Sam LaPorta was for the Lions as a rookie (10 touchdowns). Fellow Chicago tight end Cole Kmet said the Bears want to be the best 12 personnel (1 RB, 2 TEs) team in the NFL. Securing the top tight end in the draft is one way to ensure that goal becomes a reality, and the outlet Loveland will provide Williams in the passing game is critical for the quarterback making a leap in his second season."
Seifert: The Bears still have Kmet on the roster, so Loveland's immediate impact could be limited. But by the end of the season, one way or another, Loveland will have emerged as a force in Johnson's offense -- much as LaPorta did for the Lions in 2023. Loveland will be too good to keep off the field, and he'll be an important option for Williams."
So even if you cancel out the Bears reporter picking a Bears player with the Packers reporter picking a Packers player, you still have two other votes for Loveland. I'm not poli-sci major, but that looks like a majority ruling to me.
So, this blog is maybeeeeee not a great sign for Cole Kmet, but it sure is a great sign for everyone else on the Bears. Feels like that may be a theme this year.