The general stigma that rookie tight ends struggle to produce has faded a lot in recent years, but patience was a virtue with Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland last season. Starting with a breakout performance against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 9, he was one of the most productive tight ends in the NFL from there to the end of the season.
With at least 10 targets in each of his final four games last season (including the playoffs), Loveland landed in a unique class of tight ends in league history to have that level of volume in four straight games. A full-season pace based on that four-game stretch would be impossible to maintain, but the arrow is pointing way up for him heading toward his second season.
When we look back on the 2026 season, it's not hyperbole to suggest Loveland will have taken his place among the best tight ends in the league until further notice.
Colston Loveland lands on list that proves how quickly he can reach his potential
Last year, 22 of 51 non-specialists named to an All-Pro team got a First or Second Team nod for the first time in their careers. With that as a launch point, Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus led his list of 10 potential first-time All-Pros in 2026 with Loveland.
"The Bears’ offense exploded last season, placing ninth in success rate during Ben Johnson’s first year. A significant part of that improved efficiency was Loveland, who looked unstoppable late in the season. Indeed, Loveland’s 86.9 PFF receiving grade was the second-best among qualified tight ends from Week 9 onward, as were his 34 first downs gained."
"On an offense full of young — and somewhat unproven — playmakers, Chicago will assuredly continue to funnel the ball through the game-changing Loveland this season. With Travis Kelce declining of late and George Kittle’s status uncertain after suffering a torn Achilles in the playoffs, Loveland should be firmly in the All-Pro mix alongside Trey McBride and Brock Bowers."
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If we were to project the All-Pro teams for the 2026 season this far out, McBride and Bowers would be the First or Second-Team tight ends, in whatever order, for a lot of people. Unseating them will not be an easy task if they stay healthy, but if someone can, Loveland is high on (if not atop) the list as he moves toward leveling up in his second season.
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