Ben Johnson raves about Bears rookie Colston Loveland's work ethic
While Loveland was sidelined from rookie minicamp to OTAs to mandatory minicamp, he's remained involved in the mental aspect of the game. And he's impressed his new head coach Ben Johnson, who had high praise for Loveland's work ethic at this point of his young career.
"I can tell you from the moment he's gotten into the building – I'm just blown away by how he approaches everything," Johnson said. "I don't think there's a guy I saw in the building more this summer than him. It's really a credit for who he wants to be as he continues. He's attacking the rehab hard, he wants to be a factor here this fall.'
While Loveland has been cleared to practice, the question is when he'll be fully healthy and able to thrive in this offense. Chicago will start Loveland out in a ramp-up period before turning him loose. The good news is he should be full-go before the pads come on.
The Bears drafted Loveland with the 10th overall pick, and it's clear that Johnson influenced the decision in some way. Loveland has drawn comparisons to Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta, who Johnson helped develop into a stud, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see Loveland step into that role in this offense.
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Ben Johnson raves about Bears rookie Colston Loveland's work ethic

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Former Clemson star Christian Wilkins released by Raiders in a shocking, sticky situation
Just over a year after making Christian Wilkins one of the highest-paid defensive linemen in the NFL, the Las Vegas Raiders are moving on. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Raiders have released Wilkins with the designation of a terminated vested veteran—voiding the remainder of his guaranteed money in the process. Wilkins signed a four-year, $110 million deal with Las Vegas in March 2024, with the expectation he'd anchor their defensive front. But after suffering a Jones fracture in his foot just five games into last season, he never saw the field again. Initially projected to be healthy before the team's 2025 offseason program began, Wilkins experienced a setback in his recovery that kept him out entirely and ultimately landed him on the Physically Unable to Perform list for the start of training camp. The Raiders took issue with how Wilkins managed his rehab, and last month voided the remaining $35.2 million in guarantees on his contract. Wilkins has now filed a grievance with the NFL Players Association to challenge that decision. "This is a situation that is far from over," Schefter noted. Much could depend on the language in Wilkins' deal, particularly regarding rehab obligations and medical care. In six NFL seasons, Wilkins has played in 86 games (82 starts) and tallied 372 total tackles, 22.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles. Despite being sidelined for most of 2024, the 28-year-old still has plenty of prime years left—making this an unusual and potentially messy end to what began as a marquee signing. At Clemson, Wilkins was a three-time All-American who became the fifth unanimous All-American in school history. The National Champion ended his career with the Tigers, recording 250 tackles, 41 tackles for loss, 16 sacks, 56 quarterback pressures, 16 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries in 2,441 snaps over 59 games, with 49 starts. Whether another team takes a chance on him soon may hinge on how his foot progresses—and how this contract dispute plays out. Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions. This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Christian Wilkins released by the Raiders due to a contract breach


USA Today
27 minutes ago
- USA Today
Vikings training camp notebook, day 2: Defense continues to flash brilliance
The Vikings roster has reported to Eden Prairie, and as a result, they have started their journey into the 2025 season. It starts at home in Minnesota, but they hope it ends on the road in Santa Clara, where they have a chance to raise the Lombardi Trophy for the first time. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O'Connell have new extensions, as do their assistants and coordinators. J.J. McCarthy is finally healthy and ready to take over the controls of a franchise that trusted him enough to stick with him when so many other options presented themselves. All in all, the coaching staff remains essentially unchanged, while the roster sees some position groups infused with youth and talent to solidify them. The second day of training camp has wrapped, though, for the team, and there is a lot to break down. We did our best to decide what was worth sharing and discussing, as a lot happened, we narrowed it down to three key points. Of course, we rounded up some quick hitters as well for your enjoyment. Defense has contributors across the board The defense is going to have their work cut out for them once again in 2025 after a strong season in 2024 that saw the team go 14-3. While their offense remains one of the best in the NFL, the defense added some new pieces for Brian Flores to scheme with over the offseason, specifically in the secondary. Players like Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah both come in with mild expectations, and Dallas Turner in his sophomore season is expected to contribute more. The Athletic's Alec Lewis shared some thoughts from the second day as it pertains to this group, and as Olaf would say, "All good things, all good things." Lewis explained, "The Brian Flores defense looks revved up, per usual around this time. Disguised looks. Activity from Levi Drake Rodriguez. Lots of Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah." If Byron Murphy Jr. can get help from Rodgers and Okudah, look out. Justin Jefferson leaves early, but fear not The Vikings avoiding injury in 2024 is going to be a pivotal part of the training camp over the next few weeks. Last year it bit former top pick J.J. McCarthy hard to the tune of a torn meniscus, so they are doing what they can to avoid it going forward. That is why Justin Jefferson's early departure from practice may have raised some alarms, but it left the All-Pro wide receiver smiling as if he had pulled it as a joke. Jefferson explained his early departure, saying, "Just having a little bit of tightness. Of course, with the past recent injuries and stuff that I have gone through before, just taking precaution and understanding it's the second day of camp, not the 30th." One would have to imagine we see Jefferson at practice on Friday, even if it is in a limited role. No reason for concern with the star receiver, as of now. Josh Metellus sits out on the second day A day after we discussed how Josh Metellus was practicing and being used as the Swiss Army knife of the Vikings' defense, he was making headlines again. The veteran safety, who is in the middle of a contract situation with the team, missed practice due to what the team reported to be an ankle issue. We have seen players cite injuries as a way to avoid camp and not be a distraction in the media, although that is not what is happening here yet. It does create a situation worth watching, though, for the team and Metellus, and the camp rolls on, and no contract is extended between the parties. Quick hitters


USA Today
27 minutes ago
- USA Today
Caesars Sportsbook Promo Code SBWIREDYW: Get 10 100% Profit Boosts for Jays-Tigers, More
If you're a new bettor looking for a low-risk, high-reward welcome offer, then now's a great time to capitalize on the Caesars Sportsbook promo code SBWIREDYW that hands you 10 100% profit-boost tokens just for placing a $1 first bet. Here's how it works: Once you start an account, make a $1 first bet on MLB or any of the many other sports you'll see on the Caesars Sportsbook app — one of the nation's leading sports betting apps. Once your first bet gets settled, you get the 10 100% profit-boost tokens no matter how your first bet turned out. You'll have 14 days to use those 10 tokens that double your profit when you attach them to a winning bet. Keep that in mind as you check out the latest Major League Baseball odds on the Caesars Sportsbook app. The Blue Jays are in Detroit to open a four-game series against the Tigers in what very well could be a preview of the ALCS. Toronto just took two of three from the Yankees to move to a season-high four-games over New York atop the AL East, while the Tigers lead the AL Central by eight games despite going 1-9 over their last 10. Eric Lauer (5-2, 2.80 ERA), who has only allowed three runs in two of his nine starts since moving from the Toronto bullpen in May, faces Reese Olson (4-3, 2.71 ERA). Olson threw six innings of 1-hit, shutout ball against the Blue Jays on May 17. Ready to take advantage of one of the most generous sportsbook promos out there? Click the nearest BET NOW button and create an account with the Caesars Sportsbook promo code SBWIREDYW. When you do, you'll trigger the Bet $1, Get 10 100% profit-boost tokens offer. Caesars Sportsbook Promo Code SBWIREDYW: 10 100% Profit Boosts Guaranteed for NFL & More As NFL training camps open across the country, Caesars Sportsbook's variety of NFL wagers are tempting. You can bet Super Bowl 60 futures (the Buffalo Bills are the favorite), jump on any of the numerous Week 1 parlays or investigate all the player props. For example, it appears Cincinnati's Joe Burrow is expected to throw the most touchdown passes this year. Remember, you'll always have the latest NFL odds at your fingertips after signing up with the Caesars Sportsbook promo code SBWIREDYW. With just a handful of the top-ranked players in the world in attendance this weekend, the 3M Open may not seem worth more than a casual perusal. But that's not the case, as the tournament from TPC Twin Cities in Minnesota, is the penultimate event on the PGA schedule – meaning it's one of the last opportunities for players to collect points to qualify for the FedExCup playoffs. Only the top 70 players qualify for the playoffs, and most of the 3M field is below that number, so you can expect some play from players scrambling to get into the playoff. It takes just minutes to set up your account. That's all the time you need to type in the Caesars Sportsbook promo code SBWIREDYW and clinch your 10 100% profit-boost tokens as soon as you play a $1 first bet and see it settled. How to Claim The Caesars Sportsbook Promo Code Bonus Offer It takes just a few moments to secure your Caesars Sportsbook promo code offer: The Caesars Sportsbook promo code SBWIREDYW code entitles you to 10 100% profit-boost tokens just for placing that $1 first bet. You'll have 14 days to use your tokens. Attach a token to any bet that you'd like to double your profit on. Just keep in mind you can't use a token on a bet bigger than $25 or odds more conservative than -10000. The maximum added profit per boost is $2,500. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. But the Caesars Sportsbook promo code features a 1X playthrough policy, so any bonus bet needs to win just once for you to collect the profit in cash.