Colston Loveland will enter Monday night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles still waiting for his first major impact as a receiver this season, even as the Chicago Bears continue to keep their young tight end on the field almost every snap.
Loveland has one reception for 3 yards on five targets through Chicago’s first two games, a sharp contrast to expectations following his 58-catch, 713-yard season that helped the Bears win the NFC North. The Bears will face Philadelphia at 8:15 p.m. ET Monday on ABC and ESPN, with veteran Case Keenum set to start at quarterback while Caleb Williams is sidelined by a hamstring injury.
The tight end’s quiet start was especially noticeable in Chicago’s 9-3 home-opening loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 20. A day earlier, Chicago hot dog institution The Wiener’s Circle had promised free hot dogs if Loveland scored twice. Instead, he finished with one 3-yard catch.
Loveland was the third tight end selected in fantasy drafts, behind Arizona’s Trey McBride and Las Vegas’ Brock Bowers, but he was being started in only 48% of ESPN leagues entering the Eagles matchup.
Heavy workload, limited production
The former Michigan standout has played 86.6% of Chicago’s offensive snaps, the largest share among Bears skill-position players and exceeded only by Williams and offensive linemen. Coaches say his lack of targets does not reflect an absence from the offensive plan.
Head coach Ben Johnson said the offense had opportunities to get its playmakers involved against Carolina in Week 1, a 59-37 Bears victory, but did not distribute the ball as intended. Johnson also stressed that every active pass catcher has a role in the weekly plan, even if some players receive more designed opportunities than others.
Chicago offensive coordinator Press Taylor and Johnson have continued to feature Loveland in their designs, at times making him the first read. But the football has not reached him.
Loveland said he wants opportunities with the ball but understands that he can contribute in the run game and through blocking assignments. He believes the chances will arrive if he is ready to capitalize.
Against Minnesota, those assignments became particularly important. The Vikings blitzed Williams on 78% of his dropbacks, forcing Chicago’s tight ends into maximum-protection duties during a rainy game in which the wet conditions also hindered the passing attack.
Loveland has still made plays away from the stat sheet. In the third quarter against Carolina, after going without a first-half target, he helped spring a D’Andre Swift touchdown run by driving edge rusher Jaelan Phillips to the ground.
Taylor praised Loveland’s response, saying the tight end continued working for teammates despite going deep into the game without a touch. The coordinator said Loveland’s energy after the win did not change whether he had produced 10 catches or none.
Defenses paying attention
Coverage has also contributed to Loveland’s slow receiving start. He has been bracketed by double coverage on 7% of his routes, the highest rate in the NFL among players with at least 40 routes run. His average separation on targets has fallen from 3.7 yards in 2025 to 2.1 yards this year.
Loveland said film shows occasions when he is available, but pressure and other factors have prevented the ball from coming his way. He said the Bears have not fully clicked yet but expects the production to follow.
Philadelphia presents another difficult test. The Eagles have allowed only six tight end receptions, 42 receiving yards and nine targets across wins over the Washington Commanders and Tennessee Titans. Those figures rank third-fewest in catches, second-fewest in yards and tied for third-fewest in targets allowed to the position.
Eagles linebacker Chance Campbell called the matchup a “chess match,” noting that Loveland can break open a game quickly based on what he showed last season. Eagles safety Michael Carter II said Loveland is dangerous once he has the ball, adding that Philadelphia expects him to eventually see more opportunities—just preferably not Monday.
Keenum has already shown a connection with Loveland, throwing him the tight end’s first touchdown of training camp during an offseason in which Loveland frequently stood out. The Bears had expected that momentum to carry into Johnson’s offense.
Loveland has handled a slow start before. As a rookie, he did not score until Week 8, when he broke through with six catches, 118 yards and two touchdowns against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Now, with Chicago turning to Keenum and facing one of the league’s stingiest defenses against tight ends, Loveland will look for a similar breakthrough under the Monday night lights.
