When an NFL legend speaks about tight ends, the football world listens. The man who turned the position into an art form over 14 NFL seasons doesn’t throw around praise like confetti at a Super Bowl parade. So, when he recently sat down on Steve Smith Sr.’s YouTube channel to dissect the rookie class, his words about Chicago Bears’ pick Colston Loveland carried the weight of prophecy. But he isn’t the only NFL great seeing something special in the Bears’ latest offensive weapon. The whispers are turning into roars, as former stars, analysts, and fans alike find themselves united in an unexpected chorus of approval. In a league where rookie expectations often border on fantasy, Loveland is doing something rare—he’s making believers out of the skeptics who played the game at its highest level.

Loveland, who is Caleb Williams’ latest weapon, is generating buzz, especially as people compare him to ex-Bears and Panthers tight end Greg Olsen. Olsen himself seems impressed by Loveland’s skills, believing that Loveland could surpass his own NFL achievements. On the 89 podcast with Steve Smith and James Palmer, Olsen discussed how the Bears are ahead offensively, particularly with Ben Johnson coaching and Loveland ready to catch passes. While Cole Kmet will be a key player in Chicago’s offense, Loveland is expected to make his mark as well.

Greg shared his thoughts: “I think Loveland is the modern-day tight end,” Olsen says. “There are two types of tight ends in the NFL. There are guys you have to scheme open—using play-action, contested catches, tight windows—and there are guys who can get themselves open. Not many can do what [Loveland] just did on that quick route and make that catch.” Olsen makes a valid point; as tight ends become more vital in the offense, having a standout like Loveland could significantly boost the team.

Smith noted that Bears head coach Ben Johnson probably wouldn’t use the two tight ends equally in the passing game. Instead, one might focus on blocking, while the other concentrates on catching passes. This isn’t a critique of Kmet’s skills but raises the question: when will fans recognize Loveland’s potential as a dynamic pass-catcher next season?

Olsen leans toward that view. “Loveland, to me, is the guy who catches the easy ones, the play-action passes, and the ‘gimmies,’ but he can also go out there and beat press-man coverage on third-and-seven. When teams want to double Steve Smith on the outside, Loveland can win against safeties, nickel, or dime linebackers—whoever is covering him. He can win one-on-one when they use cloud coverage and play a safety over the top of your X. He’s going to win those battles.”

He continued, “It doesn’t matter what route he runs; he’s just going to win. I’ll put the ball on his chest, and he’ll make the catch. Not many guys can do that. Those are the Kelces, Kittles, and other truly special players. I think Loveland has that potential.” The bigger question isn’t whether Loveland has what it takes but how to integrate him and Kmet into the offense. If anyone can figure that out, it’s Johnson.

Greg and Smith also discuss how drafting Loveland might indicate that the team expects Caleb Williams to play more structured and timely football compared to his days at USC. Developing a rhythm with a well-designed game plan could help Williams and Loveland find early success in Chicago. This doesn’t mean Williams should always stay on script; his spontaneity adds to his charm. But, like Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes, balancing improvisation with rhythm is crucial. When Williams is in sync, Loveland has the potential to become one of Chicago’s most threatening offensive weapons. But which other players could the Bears potentially add? Bears have confirmed important roster changes.

Bears roster update: New faces and key changes

The Chicago Bears just wrapped up their rookie minicamp and have made some tweaks to their 90-man offseason roster after evaluating a few tryout players. Today, they signed undrafted rookie cornerback Jeremiah Walker from Stephen F. Austin. He’s a solid 6-foot, 195-pound player who played in 11 games for the Lumberjacks during his junior season in 2024, racking up 59 tackles, a forced fumble, and defending three passes. Back in his freshman year, he was the team’s star, with four interceptions.

Now, here’s the interesting part—about punter Tory Taylor. Being an international player from Australia, he receives a roster exemption, which conveniently opened up a spot on the 90-man roster. The Bears used this opportunity to bring in Walker. Taylor joined the Bears last year as a fourth-round pick from Iowa and was quite impressive, with a net average of 41.2 yards per punt. Currently, he is the team’s sole punter. Walker caught the team’s eye during the rookie minicamp, showcasing the skills he honed at Stephen F. Austin, where he tallied 151 tackles and four interceptions over his college career.

To make this roster shuffle work, they placed Taylor on the Exempt/International Player list. This means he does not count toward the 90-player limit. The Bears pulled a similar move last offseason since Taylor is part of the International Player Pathway (IPP) program. According to NFL.com rules, to qualify as an international player, one’s citizenship and main residence should be outside the US and Canada, and they should have no more than two years of US high school experience. Taylor can remain on the exempt list until the roster is trimmed down to 53 players.

It seems the Bears might continue leveraging this loophole to keep a 91st player on the roster each offseason while Taylor remains with the team!