Colston Loveland predicted to have big rookie season with Bears
The Chicago Bears have several exciting rookies on the roster heading into the 2025 season, led by tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden III. Both are expected to play key roles on offense in their rookie seasons, but Loveland is already generating high expectations.
NFL.com's Gennaro Filice projected his early 2025 NFL All-Rookie Team, where Loveland was the representative at tight ends. Loveland gets the nod over fellow rookie Tyler Warren, who Chicago passed on and who many believed was the top tight end in this draft class.
Advertisement
"Standing 6-6, 241 pounds, Loveland is a tight end who runs routes with the fluidity of a wideout," wrote Filice. "That's what makes him special. And that's what made Sam LaPorta a rookie Pro Bowler under Ben Johnson in Detroit, so it stands to reason that Johnson will get the most out of Loveland in Chicago. With Cole Kmet in place to handle traditional in-line work, Johnson can let his beautiful football mind run wild when it comes to scheming up touches for his new toy. The Bears have a lot of mouths to feed in the passing game, but I anticipate this supersized separator will get a fair share of attention from young quarterback Caleb Williams."
There are high expectations for Loveland heading into his rookie season, most notably that he gets to work with one of the NFL's brightest offensive minds in Ben Johnson. Loveland recently shared his impressions of Johnson and his "crazy mind," and it's clear the rookie is excited about his prospects in this Bears offense.
While Cole Kmet is a proven veteran on the roster, many expect Loveland to establish himself as the top receiving tight end at some point in his rookie season. If that's the case, the sky's the limit for Loveland, who has drawn comparisons to tight end Sam LaPorta, who was coached by Johnson in Detroit.
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears TE Colston Loveland projected to 2025 All-Rookie Team
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
41 minutes ago
- Yahoo
"I wish I could have recorded that conversation" - Derrick Rose on Michael Jordan congratulating him on his first All-Star selection
"I wish I could have recorded that conversation" - Derrick Rose on Michael Jordan congratulating him on his first All-Star selection originally appeared on Basketball Network. When Derrick Rose earned his first All-Star nod, that alone was worth celebrating. But then came the real kicker — a call from Michael Jordan himself. Advertisement Growing up in Chicago, Rose had always looked up to Jordan. So when the latter picked up the phone to congratulate him, it meant everything. For the freshly crowned All-Star, it was one of the highest signs of respect the game could offer. A new franchise star Rose didn't just hit the league running — he showed up collecting hardware. Drafted first overall by his hometown team in 2008, the Chicago native grabbed Rookie of the Year right out of the gate. By his third season, he had become the youngest Most Valuable Player in league history — and in between, earned his first All-Star nod. That first selection during the 2009–10 regular season was more than just a reward for his numbers — 20.8 points, 6.0 assists and 3.8 rebounds per contest. It marked a turning point. Advertisement After years of post-dynasty drought, the team from Windy City finally had a star to build around. The city felt it. The league saw it. And the greatest Bull of all time noticed, too. "I'm very happy for him," Jordan told via text. "The Bulls deserve an All-Star. [Rose] is a very special player." Cross-generational respect In early 2010, Jordan had plenty on his plate — still riding the wave of his Hall of Fame induction and preparing to welcome his former congenial partner and six-time championship-winning teammate Scottie Pippen into the club that fall. Yet despite everything, His Airness made time to personally call the Bulls' rising point guard star after the All-Stars were announced. For Rose, who would earn the honor twice more in his 15-year NBA career, it wasn't just a call — it was a moment he wanted to cherish forever. Advertisement "I wish I could have recorded that conversation," a beaming Rose said. "For him (Jordan) to say that, that's crazy right there. I was just amazed he even knew my name when I first met him. He's a legend in the game of basketball, in the NBA and in Chicago. For him to say that it means a lot." While that was certainly a highlight, Rose, retired since September 2024, said many more congratulations came — texts, calls, even long-distance shouts from ex-Chicagoans. But the then-21-year-old kept it grounded, just hoping to maintain his momentum. "Everybody's just happy for me and I hope I just keep playing well," remarked Rose. In the NBA, cross-generational relationships are often strained or marked by a lack of respect. But this clearly wasn't the case here. Mike made his admiration for Derrick clear once again just a year later when the latter won his MVP award. Advertisement "He (Rose) deserves it. He's playing that well. Without a doubt. If he doesn't get it, now he'll understand how I felt for many years," said Jordan, who himself won the MVP award five times during his storied career. Related: "I can't think of a better person to do it" - Scottie Pippen on Michael Jordan presenting him at his Hall of Fame induction This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
"I was scared, I was nervous" - Michael Jordan admitted he was having mixed emotions when he first came to Chicago
"I was scared, I was nervous" - Michael Jordan admitted he was having mixed emotions when he first came to Chicago originally appeared on Basketball Network. Probably the most famous athlete in the history of Chicago, Michael Jordan is revered across generations for his contributions to the Bulls franchise. He delivered six titles to the city — completing two three-peats during the nineties. Advertisement So, it is no surprise the team decided to honor him with his own statue outside the Bulls' arena, United Center. Knowing how confident he was during his career, it's surprising that Jordan had mixed emotions moving to a big city like Chicago after he was drafted in 1984. Born in Brooklyn, New York, MJ was only a couple of years old when his family moved to North Carolina as he spent his adolescence in small cities and towns like Wilmington and Chapel Hill. His mother, Deloris, served as a bank employee, while his father, James R. Jordan Sr., was an equipment manager. Growing up, nobody imagined MJ emerging as one of the greatest basketball players of all time because there were not many great players from that area. Advertisement In a 1993 interview with Larry King, Jordan recalled the emotions he felt moving to Chicago for the first time. "I was happy, I was scared, I was nervous. I was coming from a city that didn't have too many success stories in the game of basketball. So, I wanted to be a pioneer in that sense for other kids to follow that certain guideline, but I was really nervous coming to a city that I didn't know anybody and I had to start off with new friends," Mike said at the time. Related: "We only needed one more guy" - Patrick Beverley says the Clippers lost SGA because Kawhi thought he needed more help Learning the social fabric of Chicago Beginning his pro basketball journey with the Bulls, Jordan had to adjust to a new surrounding and living in a big city. Recalling his early days in Chicago, he was fascinated by everything he was learning in Chicago. Advertisement "I didn't know the history that was good. I didn't know anything about the past; I didn't know the gangsters or racism. So I was learning the city from ground one/ground zero, and all of the people I encountered may have been a little biased because they were really nice people and I was just seeing the good side, but every time you go to the stadium, you see different sides because of where the stadium is," Jordan revealed. Mike talked about the stadium being in a bad neighborhood and how seeing their favorite stars hoop could have a positive effect. At the time, MJ was coming off his first retirement in 1993 but planned to continue living in Chicago. Earning legendary status with the Bulls Playing 13 seasons for the Bulls, Jordan wanted the franchise to have the same recognition and following as the Lakers and Celtics and that meant winning multiple championships. Staying true to his mission, MJ helped the Bulls achieve unprecedented success, not only clinching the already mentioned six championships, but growing global fan base as well because of it. Advertisement No doubt, the marriage between the Bulls and Jordan encountered its fair share of challenges, but they overcame all odds. The people of Chicago haven't seen the same kind of success since, not even close. Related: "I wish I could have recorded that conversation" - Derrick Rose on Michael Jordan congratulating him on his first All-Star selection This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Arizona Cardinals DL Calais Campbell one of 10 outstanding late-career veterans in NFL
Few players have played as well for as long as Calais Campbell. It is said that the NFL is a young man's game. It is a league where players in their 20s thrive and few last long into their 30s. The Arizona Cardinals spent the last two seasons actively getting younger. But there are exceptions. PFF featured 10 aging veterans who are still playing at a high level. The Cardinals have one of those players — defensive line Calais Campbell. Aside from quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco, Calais Campbell (who turns 39 years old in September) is the oldest active player in the NFL. The Dolphins were one of the league's biggest disappointments last year, starting the season 2-6, but Campbell still played in all 17 games, ranking first among interior defenders with an 85.9 PFF run-defense grade. Campbell signed with the Arizona Cardinals in free agency and will finish out his Hall-of-Fame career back where it started in 2008. His leadership will be valuable for an improving defensive line, most notably 16th-overall pick Walter Nolen. When Campbell left the Cardinals in 2017, he was a solid player. No one had the Hall of Fame connected to him. He had a couple of great years in Jacksonville and has steadily produced for almost two decades. At no point in his career has he been considered one of the top four or five defensive linemen in the NFL. But with 14 seasons with at least five sacks, he now has 110.5 for his career. He has talked a lot about leadership and mentoring this offseason, but there is no mistaking the fact that he can still play. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe onSpotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
