The Chicago Bears and fans didn't get much of a chance to see their 2025 first-round pick tight end Colston Loveland on the field during offseason workouts. That will change with training camp nearing its start.
Loveland has been working through his shoulder injury as he recovers, which has prevented him from working out with the team but still allowed him to be around the facilities. He gave MLive.com an update on his recovery and his status for training camp.
"It's been good. There haven't really been live bullets flying yet," Loveland said, via MLive.com and CBS Sports. "We'll really know in camp once I get out there, doing a lot more stuff."
Good news for the Bears as Loveland is one step closer to being ready for preseason action
Last year with the Michigan Wolverines, Bears fans got to see Loveland on display as one of the top tight ends in the country. He finished with 56 receptions for 582 yards and five touchdowns in 10 games. His 56 receptions were a school record for a tight end. That helped him land as a finalist for the John Mackey Award for the nation's best tight end.
Loveland enters the 2025 season as most likely the backup behind Cole Kmet, but will see playing time. New Bears head coach Ben Johnson hopes that Loveland will become the next Sam LaPorta and be used the same way in Johnson's offense.
Kmet's role in the future of the franchise will be interesting, as he has been the topic of discussion for trade. Loveland appears to be the successor to Kmet at some point in the future.
Chicago needed to use the tight end more in their offense, as that was a missing factor in last year's unit that finished last in total offense. Now the Bears have two tight ends who are more than capable of starting.
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The hope is that Loveland will be able to make a solid recovery from his shoulder injury and get back to form like he was at Michigan. Johnson needs him to step up early in his NFL career with a good debut season.