The Chicago Bears are completely unrecognizable under coach Ben Johnson as the calendar recently shifted to December.
For the first time since 2020, the Bears are playing meaningful football as a Saturday night clash against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field looms large for their postseason and eventual division title hopes.
One key cog in the Bears' offense who stands out, though, is rookie tight end Colston Loveland. Not only is he a go-to target for quarterback Caleb Williams on a weekly basis, but his production level spanning 39 receptions and four touchdowns for the first 15 weeks of the season is only a sign of things to come.
College Football HQ's Nick Merriam agrees.
"Colston Loveland has improved every week in the Bears’ offense and looks like a dangerous receiving weapon for Chicago," Merriam wrote.
That's a huge sign for a Bears team that simply failed to close out games this past season. This year, though, is a far different story. Nearly every game the Bears have won this season, except for two, has been by a score or fewer.
Loveland's best game came against the Cincinnati Bengals, which saw him notch a six-reception, two-touchdown performance in a 47-42 road win Nov. 2.
The Bears enter their rematch with the Packers Saturday night having won six of their last eight games. One of those losses came against the Packers at Lambeau Field, handing Williams his first loss in the rivalry, 28-21.
Should the Bears win, Loveland may just be the hidden gem that gets them there.
Come kickoff time, we'll find out.
Bears-Packers gets underway at 8:20 p.m. ET on FOX.