The Chicago Bears have one of the more high-powered and dynamic offenses across the NFL coming into the 2026 season, in large part due to the connection of head coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams. While the two were the focal point in leading the charge to Chicago’s 11-win season and NFC North title last year, it was the entire offense, including offensive playmakers, that really made everything click, including rookie tight end Colston Loveland.
While Loveland was an initial surprise pick at 10th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, given veteran Cole Kmet, the pick more than paid off as he was one of the top rookies in the league. Johnson and the tight ends found plenty of success and ways for all to be involved, and then double downed this offseason by selecting another tight end in the 2026 NFL Draft, Sam Roush, who was selected in the third round.
Chicago’s depth and high-level talent at the tight end group, with Loveland, Kmet and Roush, has seen them jump into NFL.com’s Top 5 tight end groups across the league.
Caleb Williams’ spectacular sophomore season can be partly attributed to the Bears’ success in utilizing 12-personnel packages. Head coach Ben Johnson is on the verge of transforming Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet into an unstoppable pair that will force defensive coordinators to make tough decisions when attempting to slow a diverse offense with big-play threats all over the field. The TE tag team makes it nearly impossible for opponents to utilize bracket or double-coverage tactics on the perimeter, which should only help ascending WR1 Rome Odunze create even more problems.
In 2025, Loveland (6-6, 241) and Kmet (6-6, 257) combined for 88 catches, 1,060 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. The duo should easily surpass those numbers this season, presuming more balls will head in their direction as Johnson continues to torment his play-calling foes by further embracing 12- and 13-personnel in his creative scheme. With third-round pick Sam Roush (6-6. 267) capable of stepping in as the TE3, the Bears have an emerging juggernaut with their big bodies on the field.
There will once again be no shortage of weapons for Williams and the Bears offense, but the abilities of their tight ends brings a level of versatility to Chicago that is needed for all that Johnson likes to do. All three tight ends won’t see themselves getting a high number of passing targets, but their contributions in pass blocking and more importantly, the run game, will be a reason that the Bears’ tight ends standout among the NFL’s best this year.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears listed among NFL’s top tight ends groups
Reporting by Mike Pendleton, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
