Over the final four games of his rookie season, including the playoffs, Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland had 28 receptions on 48 targets with at least 90 yards in each of the first three. That sheer target volume, double-digits in four straight games, put him in some unique air among tight ends in league history.
So the arrow is pointing straight up for Loveland heading toward his second season, and Bears head coach Ben Johnson has apparently given up trying to temper his public enthusiasm.
"He’s one of the most consistent players I’ve ever been around, and that’s saying a lot," Johnson said. "I'm really happy with where he is at right now. We are able to take the route tree to the next level."
Ideally, based on a less than ideal catch rate during that late-season surge, Loveland and quarterback Caleb Williams can develop a more consistent connection. Even though it was only OTAs, when we only see highlights while negative plays are a footnote, there are signs that say it's happening before things ramp up in training camp.
Analyst presses the gas pedal on the Colston Loveland hype train
As part of his Super Bowl LXI roadmap for the Bears, with no need to reinvent the wheel to name an appropriate player, Matt Verderame of SI.com named Loveland as the team's breakout candidate.
"We’re in the midst of a sea change at the tight end position, and Loveland is the next in line to assert his dominance."
"Two years ago, Raiders rookie Brock Bowers led all tight ends in receiving yards and was a first-team All-Pro. Last year, Colts rookie Tyler Warren notched 817 yards and four touchdowns on his way to the Pro Bowl, while 26-year-old Trey McBride was the first-team All-Pro with a position-leading 126 catches for 1,239 yards."Â
"Loveland had six scores while playing 65% of the snaps. There’s little doubt that his playing time should increase along with his targets. Over his regular season’s first nine games, Loveland averaged 3.6 targets and 2.6 catches per game. Across the last seven, Loveland was at 7.0 targets and 4.8 catches per game."Â
"As Loveland continues to ascend with a full offseason immersed in Johnson’s complex system, and this time not dealing with a shoulder injury throughout the spring, the ceiling will only continue rising."
Read more: Bears named team to watch as NFL offensive personnel trend takes next step
There may be a point where the preseason hype around Loveland becomes too much or patently unrealistic. But we aren't there yet, so anyone who wants to hammer the gas on the locomotive is welcome.
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