The Chicago Bears' offseason is underway, but for some fans, they're still swimming in 2025. It's not a bad thing; it's only been a few weeks since it ended, and it was the first time in a long time that the season ended with hope for Bears fans. For many of us, that hope rests with the young players the Bears now boast on their roster.
Colston Loveland stole the hearts of fans throughout 2025, and there's no secret why. The young tight end hit the ground running during his rookie year, and it's safe to say that the Bears organization noticed. Loveland has just been named the Bears' Offensive Player of the Year.
It's another accolade to dazzle the 21-year-old's shelf, having already collected a league-wide NFC Offensive Player of the Week in 2025 for his two-touchdown, 118-yard performance against the Bengals in Week 9. But that wasn't the only time that Loveland stood tall in the eyes of the franchise.
The Offense Found Its Constant
Toward the latter half of the season, it became clear that Loveland and quarterback Caleb Williams had built a certain chemistry and that Williams was starting to favor Loveland as a target. The duo posted 183 receiving yards in the Bears' playoff games alone this year.
The Bears weren't short on rookie competition this year, either. Wide receiver Luther Burden III and running back Kyle Monangai gave Loveland a run for its money, with Monangai posting almost 800 rushing yards as an RB2 behind D'Andre Swift. Burden III also had a stellar year, stepping it up when star receiver Rome Odunze missed time.
Loveland emerged over the other two with his dependability and his presence. Already, at only 21 years old, he's become a leader in the Bears locker room. He's stood out, both in his play on the field in run support and receiving, and his conduct off the field. Loveland has participated in hometown charities to support his community.
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Loveland’s Offensive Player of the Year recognition feels less like a celebration and more like a checkpoint. His rookie season established him as a fixture in the Bears' offense, not a complementary piece. If 2025 was about discovery, the expectation now is consistency and growth as the standard.