10 Most Important Bears of 2025: #9 Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland

The Chicago Bears have gone through an intensive rebuild in recent years, focusing on acquiring young talent, building a roster that can compete, and developing a new identity under a fresh coaching staff. As they enter the 2025 season, the team’s goal remains clear: to return to relevance in the NFC North and make a sustained push toward the postseason. To do that, they’ll need contributions from many different areas of their roster, but perhaps no position group holds more promise and intrigue than the tight end position. At the forefront of this is Cole Kmet, who has already established himself as one of the cornerstones of the offense, and Colston Loveland, a rising star who represents the future of the position in Chicago.

While both players offer different skill sets and potential, their ability to complement one another makes them a unique duo that could help shape the Bears’ offensive attack for years to come. As the Bears push toward becoming a competitive team again, Kmet and Loveland’s importance will be critical—whether it’s their ability to unlock the offense’s full potential, serve as safety nets for the quarterback, or impact the passing game in ways that opposing defenses are unprepared for. For 2025, Kmet and Loveland aren’t just important—they could be game-changers.

#9 Cole Kmet: A Reliable Force in the Bears’ Offense

There aren’t many players on the current Chicago Bears roster who have consistently provided stability on offense over the past few seasons, but Cole Kmet has undeniably earned a reputation as a reliable target for quarterbacks and a key contributor to the team’s passing attack. The 2025 season represents a turning point in Kmet’s career. As the Bears move further away from their rebuild and start pushing for a legitimate playoff spot, Kmet will need to not only maintain his current level of play but also elevate his game to truly become one of the top tight ends in the NFL.

Kmet has shown steady improvement since being drafted by the Bears in 2020, evolving from a promising prospect into one of the most reliable pass-catching options on the team. As of 2025, he is no longer simply a blocking tight end; he’s the focal point of the offense’s middle-of-the-field passing game, especially in the red zone. His combination of size (6’6″, 260 pounds), athleticism, and hands makes him a mismatch for defenders, whether he’s lining up in-line or out wide. As the Bears’ offense continues to develop under quarterback Justin Fields, Kmet’s role in the passing game will only become more significant.

In 2024, Kmet had a breakout season, recording over 700 receiving yards and catching a career-high 8 touchdowns. His ability to work in the intermediate zones of the field, his understanding of leverage, and his exceptional body control when catching passes make him a valuable asset. Kmet’s improvement as a route runner has been noticeable, and his strong hands and ability to make contested catches has proven critical for Fields, especially in clutch situations. As a result, he has become one of Fields’ most trusted weapons, often acting as a safety valve when things break down.

For 2025, Kmet’s growth will depend on the Bears’ ability to further develop their passing attack. With a potentially more dynamic receiving corps—including the addition of new playmakers like DJ Moore and the development of young talents like Velus Jones Jr.—Kmet’s ability to work off of those threats will open up new avenues for him to exploit defenses. The addition of Colston Loveland, another tight end with an entirely different skill set, could also provide Kmet with more opportunities to operate in space, as defenses won’t be able to focus solely on him. Having multiple tight ends capable of creating mismatches will stretch defenses in ways that they haven’t had to deal with in the past.

#9 Colston Loveland: The Future of the Position

While Kmet offers a level of established consistency, Colston Loveland is the potential star waiting to burst onto the scene. Loveland, who the Bears selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, represents one of the most exciting prospects at the tight end position to come through the team in years. The young tight end out of Michigan has drawn comparisons to some of the NFL’s best, with his blend of size, athleticism, and technical skill. He’s been a highly regarded prospect for his ability to stretch the field and create mismatches against defenders, making him a perfect complement to Kmet.

At 6’5”, 250 pounds, Loveland has the frame to overpower defenders in the red zone and the speed to outrun linebackers and safeties down the field. His ability to make plays after the catch is one of his defining traits, as he’s proven time and again that he can turn short receptions into big plays. As a true threat both as a blocker and a receiver, Loveland has the potential to quickly become a key part of the Bears’ offensive scheme.

Unlike Kmet, whose primary role in the passing game has been as a more traditional tight end, Loveland brings a more dynamic skill set. He can line up both in-line and in the slot, providing the Bears with the flexibility to use him in a variety of ways. Loveland’s athleticism, coupled with his understanding of spacing and leverage, will give the Bears’ offense an extra dimension, as he’s capable of winning matchups against virtually any defender. His ability to stretch the field could open up space for Kmet underneath, making the tight end duo a nightmare for opposing defenses.

In a system that heavily relies on creating mismatches—something that offensive coordinator Luke Getsy has emphasized—Loveland offers the perfect weapon. If the Bears can integrate Loveland into their offense early and effectively, his potential to become a difference-maker in both the passing game and red zone will dramatically enhance the offense’s overall production. While it’s still early to determine how quickly Loveland will adjust to the NFL, the Bears are betting big on him as a long-term solution at the position. If his development continues as expected, he and Kmet will form one of the best tight end duos in the league.

Kmet and Loveland: A Dynamic Tight End Duo

The 2025 season could be a turning point for the Chicago Bears, and the emergence of both Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland will play a major role in the team’s success. While the Bears’ offensive game plan will still likely revolve around the development of Justin Fields and the continued growth of their receiving corps, the tight ends will undoubtedly be pivotal in creating opportunities.

Together, Kmet and Loveland offer a complementary mix of styles and abilities. Kmet’s experience, steadiness, and reliability make him the trusted option in the offense. He knows how to operate in tight spaces and can dominate defenders in short-yardage situations. His ability to make plays in the red zone, especially with his size and catching ability, gives the Bears a reliable option when they need it most.

Loveland, on the other hand, represents the future—a versatile and dynamic playmaker who can stretch the field and force defenses to adapt. His combination of speed and physicality makes him a matchup nightmare, particularly in today’s NFL, where tight ends are asked to do everything from blocking in the run game to being primary receiving threats. Loveland’s ability to create mismatches could transform the Bears’ offense, turning it from a one-dimensional attack to one that is more varied and difficult to predict.

Together, these two tight ends will allow the Bears to run a variety of offensive schemes that can keep opposing defenses guessing. Whether they’re creating mismatches on the inside or outside, working the intermediate zones, or blocking for the running game, Kmet and Loveland will be at the heart of the offense’s identity. The versatility they provide will enable the Bears to take advantage of the full skill set of their quarterback and other weapons in the passing game.

Looking Ahead: 2025 and Beyond

The tight end position is increasingly becoming one of the most important on any NFL roster, especially for teams that want to run a balanced offense. In an era where spread offenses and hybrid players are the norm, the ability to utilize tight ends who can both block and catch passes in a variety of ways is a huge advantage. For the Bears, Kmet and Loveland provide that balance and will be the centerpieces of the offense in 2025 and beyond.

For Kmet, the 2025 season is crucial in proving that his breakout years were no fluke. With the arrival of Loveland, Kmet will be pushed to continue his development as a well-rounded weapon who can operate in a variety of roles. Meanwhile, Loveland has the opportunity to hit the ground running, but like any rookie, will need time to adjust to the NFL. However, given his skill set and the promise he showed in college, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he quickly becomes a fan favorite and a key contributor.

As the Bears continue their journey of rebuilding and retooling, the tight end position, with Kmet and Loveland leading the charge, will be a major point of focus for the coaching staff. If the two can develop chemistry with quarterback Justin Fields and make an immediate impact, the Bears’ offense could become one of the most dangerous in the NFC North in just a few years. For a franchise that has been looking for stability and playmaking on offense for so long, this dynamic duo could very well be the missing piece the team has been searching for.

In 2025, the Bears’ fortunes are tied to many variables, but at least one thing is clear: Kmet and Loveland will be two of the most important players for this franchise. They are not just the future of the position—they could very well be the key to bringing Chicago back to prominence.