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Colston Loveland Struggles to Find Rhythm in Bears Offense
Confirmed
In Short: Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland has struggled to find his rhythm in the team's offense this season, with limited action and production.
Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland has struggled to find his rhythm in the team's offense this season, with limited action and production.
Despite being drafted as the No. 3 tight end, Loveland is being started in only 48% of ESPN leagues heading into Monday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Loveland's quiet start is attributed to a combination of factors, including the team's recent quarterback changes and defensive strategies targeting him.
Injuries have limited key players like T.J. Edwards and starting quarterback Jaxson Dart, forcing the Bears to rely on third-string QB Case Keenum.
According to NFL NextGen Stats, Loveland has faced double coverage on 7% of his routes, the highest rate in the NFL regardless of position with a minimum of 40 routes.
Loveland's separation from defenders has also decreased, averaging 2.1 yards of separation on his targets compared to 3.7 yards in 2025.
Despite these challenges, Loveland remains confident and committed to contributing to the team's success.
Everyone in here wants the ball,' Loveland said, emphasizing his readiness to step up when needed.
The Bears' coaching staff acknowledges Loveland's potential and may need to rely on his playmaking ability more often as the season progresses.
Loveland's performance in the upcoming games will be crucial in determining whether he can live up to preseason expectations and become a consistent threat in the Bears' offense.
What this adds
The Bears' recent quarterback changes and defensive strategies targeting Loveland have contributed to his limited production.
Loveland's confidence and commitment to the team remain strong despite the challenges he has faced.
What's confirmed
- Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland has struggled to find his rhythm in the team's offense this season, with limited action and production.
- Despite being drafted as the No. 3 tight end, Loveland is being started in only 48% of ESPN leagues heading into Monday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
- Loveland's quiet start is attributed to a combination of factors, including the team's recent quarterback changes and defensive strategies targeting him.
- Injuries have limited key players like T.J. Edwards and starting quarterback Jaxson Dart, forcing the Bears to rely on third-string QB Case Keenum.
- According to NFL NextGen Stats, Loveland has faced double coverage on 7% of his routes, the highest rate in the NFL regardless of position with a minimum of 40 routes.
- Loveland's separation from defenders has also decreased, averaging 2.1 yards of separation on his targets compared to 3.7 yards in 2025.
- Despite these challenges, Loveland remains confident and committed to contributing to the team's success.
- Everyone in here wants the ball,' Loveland said, emphasizing his readiness to step up when needed.
- The Bears' coaching staff acknowledges Loveland's potential and may need to rely on his playmaking ability more often as the season progresses.
- Loveland's performance in the upcoming games will be crucial in determining whether he can live up to preseason expectations and become a consistent threat in the Bears' offense.
What's still developing
- For years, the Chicago Bears didn't have to worry about T.J.
- That all changed in 2025, when injuries limited him to just 10 games and a fractured fibula ended his season in the Wild Card round.
- Edwards still managed to get back on the field for the season opener.
- Kittle is accounting for a 16.1% target share in an offense where Brock Purdy is passing for the sixth-highest points per game among all QBs.
- The team lost its starting QB in Jaxson Dart for the season, but Jameis Winston has achieved at least 300 passing yards in four of his past nine starts, helping give Likely a TE1 projection for Week 3.
- He's one of just six TEs with at least 30 routes run who are posting at least a 25% target rate per route and 1.40 yards per route run this season.
- He was TE2 last season in points from Week 9 through 16, so it's worth chasing the upside with Bowers this week.
- Against a Vikings defense that sent a blitz at Williams on 78% of his dropbacks, Loveland and other tight ends were called on to max protect on a rainy afternoon when wet conditions affected the passing game.
- Another reason behind Loveland's lack of production is the way defenses are playing him.
- While he has been targeted only five times, Loveland is averaging significantly less separation, down from 3.7 yards of separation on his targets in 2025 to 2.1.
- On one of D'Andre Swift 's TD runs, Loveland blocked Jaelan Phillips and drove him into the ground.
- This is nothing new for Loveland, who battled a slow start as a rookie.