The Chicago Bears made a splash in the 2025 NFL draft with the selection of tight end Colston Loveland with the 10th overall pick. The selection came as a surprise to some because the Bears already had a talented veteran at the tight end position in Cole Kmet, and there was belief that the team would target a running back early but instead opted for Loveland, who was a target of plenty other teams in the first round.
Adding Loveland to the mix is not only an added weapon to Ben Johnson’s offense but provides more depth alongside Kmet. The former second-round pick, who has been through plenty of ups and downs in his Bears tenure, is now tasked with mentoring his rookie teammate, although he wasn’t asked to do so; it’s just happening naturally.
Kmet recently discussed mentoring Loveland, where he harkened back to his time as a rookie when Jimmy Graham was in that leadership role.
“I don’t know if I’ve been asked to like mentor per se. I’ve still got things that I’ve got to work on and I’ve got to achieve,” Kmet said. “When I was a rookie, we had Jimmy (Graham) here and Jimmy was like 32 or 33 at the time. I don’t know if I should say this publicly –he probably wouldn’t have said it then – but he was probably on the back end of his career at that point. I don’t necessarily feel like I’m at that stage in my career yet. So, a little different in that regard.
“That being said, getting to know Colston has been great so far and I want to give him as much knowledge as I can. Give him all the things that I’ve learned and get him up to pace as soon and as quickly as possible so that he can go out there and be the best football player that he can be this year and going forward. I’m excited about that and it’s been awesome to get to know him here these past few weeks since he’s been drafted. I think he’s going to fit just fine in our room and in the offense as well.”
The duo of Kmet and Loveland will give Johnson an opportunity for more 12 personnel, adding another wrinkle to their new offense, but the chemistry between the two will be as equally important. Both tight ends should be considered real pass-catching threats and will make it tough for opposing defenses to pick their poison between the two of them.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears’ Cole Kmet using own experience to mentor Colston Loveland
Reporting by Mike Pendleton, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
