The Chicago Bears (4-2) are currently on a four-game win streak after taking down the New Orleans Saints (1-6). The streak is tied for the league’s longest this year and is the Bears’ longest since 2018.
After the first six games, there have been discussions about whether the Bears should start experimenting with their tight ends more. Head coach Ben Johnson has favored veteran Cole Kmet. Even with Kmet taking a brunt of the snaps, rookie Colston Loveland could prove a shiny new toy in Johnson’s offense.
Kmet and Loveland each provide the offense with something that the other lacks.
Kmet is a great blocker in the run game and can help protect quarterback Caleb Williams. Loveland, with his size and athletic ability, is a great receiver who can prove to be another strong passing target.
Johnson loves using a two tight end offensive set, so it will be interesting to see how he can use both these players’ strengths to open up the offense. The Bears can use both players at the same time, or can rotate reps every other drive.
Get The Daily Illini in your inbox!
It would be encouraging to see Loveland becoming a vital part of the offense. The rookie is setting himself up to take the starting position eventually, but for now, Kmet and Loveland can prove a dynamic duo. Kmet can hold down the fort and protect Williams as Loveland is helping move the ball to get the offense down the field.
The veteran: Cole Kmet
Kmet came into the league as the Bears’ second-round pick in 2020. The tight end started his tenure as the backup to Jimmy Graham while making some occasional appearances. Kmet took the starting position in his second year and more than doubled his receptions and receiving yards.
In college, Kmet was used in the run game to help with blocking. Great tight ends serve as a team’s Swiss Army knife. Being able to block in the run game and catch the ball is an offensive coordinator’s dream. At Notre Dame, Kmet accumulated 60 receptions, six touchdowns and almost 700 receiving yards over the course of three seasons.
The Bears had been a run-first team in recent years. Former quarterback Justin Fields was the perfect puzzle piece within the offense. Kmet was part of some running plays and became one of the team’s leading receivers.
Now that Williams and Johnson have taken over, the Bears have shifted their focus from a run-first offense to a passing one. This year, Kmet has nine receptions and a touchdown on 19 targets. With a plethora of new weapons around, the tight end’s production is not quite what it’s been in seasons past. Last year, Kmet had 18 receptions on 20 targets across his first four games. The new offensive scheme opens the door for Loveland.
The rookie: Colston Loveland
There was a lot of debate on what the Bears should do with their first-round pick this year. General manager Ryan Poles decided to go with Loveland. The tight end spent his college career at Michigan and was part of the 2024 NCAA national championship team.
His contributions in his three seasons with the Wolverines showcased him as a big target for quarterbacks to take advantage of in the passing game. Loveland accumulated 117 receptions and over 1,400 receiving yards in college.
Even though Loveland hasn’t seen the field as much as Kmet this season, he has been making waves during training camp and practice. It is clear that Johnson wants to involve Loveland in the offensive scheme.
Loveland can be a special asset for the Bears if used correctly. Johnson is known for using his tight ends as receiving options. Loveland has the height to be that type of player and has the potential to be one of the best receiving tight ends in the league. There is still work to do on the offense this season, and both Loveland and Kmet could be a part of it.
@Jon_Mathew23
