There weren't many disappointing numbers in the Chicago Bears' Week 1 box score. But Colston Loveland's stood out.
Zero catches. Two targets.
That's hardly what anyone expected from a player coming off an outstanding finish to his rookie season and entering 2026 as one of the most obvious breakout candidates on Chicago's roster.
Don't panic, Bears fans, and don't assume it's becoming a trend.
In fact, Loveland could be one of the Bears players most likely to make considerably more noise Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.
Colston Loveland was more involved than Week 1 box score suggests
The most important number from Loveland's Week 1 performance wasn't zero. It was 33.
According to Next Gen Stats, Loveland ran a team-high 33 routes against the Panthers. That tied for the third-most among NFL tight ends in Week 1. He also played 60 of Chicago's 70 offensive snaps.
In other words, Loveland didn't disappear from the Bears offense. The production simply didn't follow the opportunity.
He also had chances to produce. Caleb Williams missed Loveland on a potential massive after-the-catch opportunity. Williams targeted him again in the end zone but couldn't connect.
And because Chicago spent much of the afternoon steamrolling Carolina on the ground, Ben Johnson had little reason to force the passing game.
The Bears rushed for 291 yards and six touchdowns, but that won't happen every Sunday.
end of 2025 season more indicative of Loveland's 2026 outlook
Loveland's late-2025 production offers a much better indication of what he's capable of doing in this offense. Over the final two games of last season, Loveland caught 16 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns. He then added 12 receptions for 193 yards during Chicago's two playoff games.
That's 28 catches and 378 yards over his final four games. He averaged 12 targets per game during that stretch.
So, yeah, when he was blanked against the Panthers, it was a shock.
Something doesn't add up. And it's why Loveland is one of the most interesting Bears players to watch against the Vikings.
The matchup might cooperate, too.
Minnesota's defensive philosophy centers on creating pressure and forcing quarterbacks to make quick decisions. That can create opportunities in the intermediate areas where an athletic tight end like Loveland can become deadly.
The Bears also have enough offensive weapons that Minnesota can't simply devote its defense to removing him. Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Kalif Raymond, D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai all demand attention in different ways.
None of this guarantees a huge afternoon. That's not how NFL offenses work, particularly one with as much star power as Chicago.
But the underlying usage from Week 1 tells a much different story than Loveland's final stat line. He wasn't phased out. He wasn't replaced. And he wasn't an afterthought.
He ran more routes than anyone on the Bears.
Sooner or later, that should translate into production. Sunday against Minnesota would be a pretty good time for it to start.
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