Even now, some people aren't quite grasping what the Chicago Bears were thinking when they drafted Colston Loveland in the 1st round. Tight end wasn't high on the list of needs for this team. Running back and edge rusher seemed higher on the priority list. Cole Kmet has proven to be a good player. Couldn't they have waited to address the position later? The truth is, it wasn't about need for the Bears. They were focused on adding the best possible player to their roster. Position didn't matter.
There was far more subtlety to the move than the team gets credit for. Peter Bercich covers the Minnesota Vikings for their radio network. He understood immediately what the Bears were doing when they took Loveland. He broke it down for Adam Hoge on the CHGO Bears podcast.
The long and short of it is that Loveland is a walking mismatch. He's too big for cornerbacks and safeties and too fast for linebackers. Ben Johnson runs his offense through the slot. Having a tight end who is that athletic is so lethal because defenses don't have any clear way to deal with him.
Colston Loveland helps the Bears do something they didn't last year.
That is sustain drives. Chicago was a distant 19th last season in time of possession. They were second in punt attempts per game. Holding onto the football and scoring points was a constant issue. Conversely, Johnson's offense in Detroit was second in time of possession. The Lions were dead last in punt attempts per game. He was a master at sustaining longer drives, wearing out defenses by finding ways to move the chains. Having a capable receiving tight end was a vital part of that. Sam LaPorta made 60 catches last season. No fewer than 39 resulted in a 1st down. This is what the future holds for Colston Loveland. No wonder Bercich and other divisional beat writers can sense danger.
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