To some people, the Chicago Bears drafting tight end Colston Loveland in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft might seem like the team giving up on Cole Kmet. Ben Johnson has a plan in place for the duo to both thrive, and it starts with having playstyles that complement each other.
Loveland is an elite athlete at the tight end position, with his playstyle resembling that of a large wide receiver. The rookie is finally back from an injury to the AC joint in his right shoulder that he suffered last Sept., and has hit the ground running in training camp.
The rehab process kept Loveland out of all offseason workouts prior to training camp, battling back from his surgery on Jan. 29. He has continued to work tirelessly to get his 6-foot-6, 248-pound frame filled back out.
Ben Johnson says he has been blown away by Colston Loveland’s work ethic.
— Caleb Williams Fan Club (@CalebFC18) July 23, 2025
Colston Loveland is going to be a stud. pic.twitter.com/goZ61UTWPB
On the other side, Kmet is heading into his sixth season with the Bears, fresh off a 2024 that featured 474 yards and four touchdowns on 47 receptions. That production could be considered a down year compared to his career year in 2023, as the former second round pick continues to build a rapport with Caleb Williams.
Kmet boasts a similarly huge 6-foot-6, 260-pound frame, which he uses in more of a traditional tight end role. As the team’s starter the past five years, Kmet has had success being a pair of sure hands, as well as a solid asset in the run game.
Having two tight ends who expect to play large roles in the offense could be a challenge for a coaching staff to handle, but with the variance in playstyles, Ben Johnson should be able to move the two around throughout the game, and put each one in situations where they’ll thrive.
"Iron sharpens iron."@DavidHaugh and @camronsmith on the competition between Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet.#ChicagoLead pic.twitter.com/wOMtOt71aK
— Bears on CHSN (@CHSN_Bears) July 24, 2025
The NFL hasn’t seen many teams utilize 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends) throughout a majority of the game, but there’s one in recent memory that sticks out. In the early 2010s, the New England Patriots showed how dominant two great tight ends can be.
Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez complemented each other perfectly as tight ends, with Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels getting the most out of the duo. From 2010-2012, Gronkowski totaled 2,663 yards and 38 touchdowns, while Hernandez added 1,956 yards and 18 scores of his own.
Kmet fits more of the Gronkowski mold, while Loveland shares similarities to Hernandez’s playstyle. If Johnson can tap into what the Patriots figured out with their pairing, Chicago’s offense could be a huge headache for defenses around the league to figure out.