Colston Loveland has one massive individual goal, but Bears success comes first

But during an appearance on The Pivot Podcast, Loveland made something else equally clear: personal statistics aren't going to define whether his season is successful.

"I want to be the best, I want to be the best in this position, and obviously I want the numbers and everything," Loveland said. "That's great, but at the end of the day, and I think this is what I learned at Michigan, too, we've got dogs all over. Everyone's going to eat."

It's a mature perspective for a player who's entering just his second NFL season with significant expectations after emerging as one of Caleb Williams' most important weapons as a rookie.

Colston Loveland isn't chasing 1,200 yards

Loveland wouldn't complain about putting together one of the NFL's biggest statistical seasons at tight end. He just doesn't believe that's the ultimate objective.

"If that means I don't get 1,200 yards or whatever it may be, at the end of the day it's about winning," Loveland said. "You feel a lot better winning a game than going crazy and losing a game, you know?"

The Bears' offense isn't short on players who need the football.

Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III headline the receiving corps. D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai give Chicago a great 1-2 punch out of the backfield. Cole Kmet remains a proven tight end alongside Loveland. Even rookie Zavion Thomas provided a glimpse during the preseason of another explosive element Johnson could incorporate into the offense.

Loveland knows that means there will be Sundays when somebody else gets the production. And his focus is making sure he does his job when his opportunities arrive.

Loveland's expectations go beyond receiving numbers

Loveland also made an important point about what becoming the NFL's best tight end actually means to him.

"The big expectation for me is to do my job at a high level, never have my guy in on the play in the run game, always make the catches when they come to me, and just control what I can control," Loveland said. "But at the end of the day, it's always about the team."

Cole Kmet recently explained just how difficult Loveland's receiving ability can make life for opposing defenses. Kmet believes defensive backs will continue to struggle with Loveland's size, while linebackers will have trouble matching his speed and elusiveness. But Loveland's comments on The Pivot show he isn't measuring his development solely by catches and receiving yards.

Blocking matters, too. So does reliability. And ultimately, so does winning.

Bears have a good problem with so many offensive weapons

Loveland's comments also underscore one of the most fascinating questions surrounding Chicago's offense in 2026: Who gets the football?

There are only so many targets and touches available. That's why Loveland's "everyone's going to eat" mentality is important. Ben Johnson's offense has enough talent that individual production could fluctuate dramatically from week to week.

There might be a Loveland game. There might be a Burden game. Odunze could dominate another week. Swift and the running game could take over when defenses counter Chicago with lighter personnel.

That's the problem the Bears want opponents trying to solve.

Sure, Loveland still has enormous personal ambitions. And, yes, he wants to become the best tight end in football.

But if becoming part of one of the NFL's most dangerous offenses means his final stat line doesn't include 1,200 receiving yards, Loveland already knows which accomplishment matters more. Winning.