The Chicago Bears' Week 9 win over the Cincinnati Bengals cannot be described easily. It was one of the more dramatic and high-scoring games in recent Bears memory. Quarterback Caleb Williams hit rookie tight end Colston Loveland on what ended up being the game-winning touchdown strike for 58 yards.
This specific touchdown was significant because of the fact that, to this point, Loveland had heard all the criticism. He'd heard plenty of the pro-Tyler Warren takes, stating the Bears "drafted the wrong tight end."
After the game, CBS reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala caught up with both Williams and Loveland. She told Williams that Loveland had said he wanted to be a safety blanket for his quarterback. Williams took it from there.
"That's what he is. We drafted him for a reason, to make plays like that in the big moments," Williams said.
Caleb Williams silenced Colston Loveland's critics with just a few simple words
In simple, telling fashion, Williams declared Loveland absolutely anything but the wrong pick; forget the "bust" label that some were so foolish to start handing out, too. Anyone even remotely thinking about that term doesn't understand tight end development at the NFL level.
Sure, Warren has had a phenomenal rookie campaign thus far. But, the majority of tight ends take a good two years or so to develop before they become impact players.
Williams' faith in Loveland only certifies what Bears fans wanted to believe about him in the first place. Everybody knew Warren was going to be a stud. Some questioned whether Chicago really did draft the wrong player.
But, Loveland was a sure first-round talent. The fact that he was drafted before Warren only thrust the spotlight on him even more, though. It begged for criticism to come his way. He didn't ask for it, but criticism was going to come, regardless.
It was like the only thing he could do to avoid all of the nonsensical critiquing was to go out and set the world on fire like Warren has done, which is completely unrealistic.
No, instead, it took until Week 9 before Loveland experienced a game where he'd be able to have such a strong impact that fans would really start to notice. His six receptions, 118 yards and two scores led the way for the Bears, offensively, in this one.
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One can only wonder what's in store for Loveland in the coming weeks.