From many fans’ perspectives, the Bears’ perfect offseason has continued through the 2025 NFL draft.

Justin Villarreal, a DePaul senior and member of Radio Depaul Sports, loves the Bears’ top pick — Michigan tight end Colston Loveland. 

“I think that was the best possible pick the Bears could have made,” Villareal said.

The Bears drafted Loveland with the 10th overall pick in the draft. He recorded 582 yards with 56 catches and five touchdowns in the 2024 season. The Idaho native led the Wolverines in every receiving category. 

According to CBS Sports’ scouting report on Loveland, his size and speed make him a potentially viable receiver at the NFL level. They praise his character and good awareness against zone coverages from defenses. They also note his slim build.

However, the report lists some skills Loveland could improve, such as blocking and inconsistencies in his route running. 

Fred Mitchell, former writer for the Chicago Tribune and Bears beat writer from 1988-1995, believes that Loveland’s strengths outshine the weaknesses. 

“(Blocking) is obviously a very important part, and it’s something perhaps could be coached up if it needs polishing,” said Mitchell, an adjunct instructor who teaches sports journalism at DePaul. “The qualities that he’s been touted on — speed, hands and agility — those are things that you cannot necessarily teach.”

Mitchell explained how Loveland’s experience at Michigan, a team known for their heavy running game, could prepare him to develop as a blocker at the NFL level.

Despite Loveland’s prior experience, his improvement is now in the hands of the Bears’ new head coach, Ben Johnson.

Johnson was appointed after a 15-2 season with the Detroit Lions as their offensive coordinator. 

“This is, I think, the next great offensive-minded head coach in the NFL,” Villarreal said.

Johnson is also known for using two tight ends in his plays, a strategy consistent with the Loveland pick. Mitchell said the Bears’ top pick in this draft has Johnson’s “fingerprints all over (it).”

“On paper, it seems pretty obvious that the Bears are trying to establish an offensive strategy,” Mitchell said.

Cole Kmet, the Bears’ current tight end, is already a proven receiving tight end in the NFL. In 2023, Kmet had 719 yards and six touchdowns which put him among the top ten receiving tight ends.

Despite Kmet’s down year in 2024, Loveland will likely not take his place but rather will play alongside Kmet in Johnson’s playbook. According to Brendan Sugrue of Bears Wire, Loveland said Kmet texted him to say he was “excited to get to work,” inviting Loveland to the team with open arms.

In the second round, the Bears chose Missouri receiver Luther Burden, offensive lineman Ozzy Trapilo from Boston College and defensive tackle Shemar Turner from Texas A&M. 

Burden was all-team SEC in 2024 with 61 receptions, 676 yards and six touchdowns. His scouting report praises his speed and playmaking ability after the catch. He struggles on catches in traffic and is inconsistent with his route running.

Trapilo is six feet, eight inches tall and weighed in at 316 pounds. According to his scouting report, Traplio has accurate hands and a good base but lacks quickness and is underwhelming at second-level blocking.

Turner recorded 36 tackles and two sacks. His strengths, according to his scouting report, are his aggression and quickness. However, he is also penalty-prone and lacks mass.

In 2024, the Bears were bottom five in offensive points scored and last in offensive yards gained. While the offense had promising moments, the overall 2024 season was disappointing.

Mitchell said the recent NFL rule changes favor the offensive side of the ball. 

“It is clear the NFL prefers to see the high-scoring games,” he said. “You have a feeling the Bears have to score 24 or 28 points at least a game to have a decent chance to win.” 

The average points scored by a playoff team in 2024 was about 26 points per game.

In 2025, the NFL passed a rule that allows both teams to have offensive possession in overtime, allowing for more offense.

Fans may recall the 2024 divisional game between the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs, when Texans rusher Will Anderson was called for a controversial roughing the passer against Patrick Mahomes. This play couldn’t be reviewed, but it highlights the pressure put on NFL defenses to combat high-powered offenses legally under NFL rules.

James Stowell III, DePaul senior and news director of Radio DePaul Sports, is ecstatic to see how the Bears’ new offense performs. “With a guy like Ben Johnson around, I’m excited to see what the future holds for the offense,” Stowell said. 

Stowell is also interested in the progression of Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. Stowell noted that Williams had poor coaching his rookie season and hopes Johnson can aid the young quarterback.

Stowell said the ceiling on the Bears’ 2025 season is an appearance in the playoffs.

“Wild card berth I think is a possibility, but I wouldn’t guarantee it,” Stowell said. “Caleb, like a lot of our quarterbacks, (has) to adjust to a new coach in their second season.”

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