Bears' updated tight end depth after Colston Loveland selection

The Chicago Bears added another offensive playmaker in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft, selecting tight end Colston Loveland out of Michigan with the 10th overall pick.

Loveland is another weapon in new head coach Ben Johnson’s offense and another target for quarterback Caleb Williams heading into his second season.

Adding Loveland also brings another receiving threat to the tight end position, which Cole Kmet has had cemented upon his arrival as a second round pick in the 2020 draft. The Bears also signed veteran Durham Smythe in free agency this offseason to solidify depth behind Kmet, and now Loveland brings even more depth and talent.

Here’s a look at the Bears tight end depth after their selection of Colston Loveland:

Colston Loveland

The 10th overall pick of the 2025 NFL draft, Loveland is coming in as a highly touted receiving option at the tight end position. Chicago selecting him over Tyler Warren means they definitely saw something in him as the top player at his position, and he should pave the way for more 12-man personnel under new head coach Ben Johnson.

Cole Kmet

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 22: Cole Kmet #85 of the Chicago Bears catches the ball against the Indianapolis Colts during the second half of the game at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

The team’s top tight end since being a second round pick in the 2020 NFL draft, Cole Kmet had a down year in 2024 but has established himself as one of the best receiving tight ends in the league. In 2024, he caught 47 passes for 474 yards and four touchdowns, which was down from his 2023 season when he had 73 receptions, 719 yards, and six touchdowns.

Durham Smythe

Jan 13, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Miami Dolphins tight end Durham Smythe (81) during the second half of a 2024 AFC wild card game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

A veteran who spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Miami Dolphins, Durham Smythe signed a one-year deal with the Bears this offseason. He’s a former collegiate teammate of Kmet at Notre Dame, and Ben Johnson was an offensive assistant coach in Miami when Smythe was there.

Joel Wilson

Green Bay Packers tight end Joel Wilson (82) drops a pass on a diving catch attempt against safety Evan Williams (33) during Family Night on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. 
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

An undrafted free agent coming out of the 2023 draft, Joel Wilson has spent time with the New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, and most recently the Bears. He was signed to the practice squad in October last year and signed a reserve/future contract in January.

Jordan Murray

Indianapolis Colts tight end Jordan Murray (84) catches a pass as Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Josh Newton (28) tackles him in the third quarter of the NFL preseason game at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024.

Another undrafted free agent from the 2023 class, Jordan Murray has been with the Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants, and the Bears. He spent last season in New York and signed a reserve/future contract with Chicago in January.

Stephen Carlson

Aug 10, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Stephen Carlson (88) warms up prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Unlike Murray and Wilson, Stephen Carlson spent time on the Bears active roster during the 2024 season after spending the first part of his career with the Cleveland Browns. Carlson is a depth piece at the tight end position, and should come in behind Smythe on the depth chart.

Follow Bears Wire on TwitterFacebook and Instagram

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears draft Colston Loveland: Updated tight end depth

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *