The Chicago Bears recorded their first preseason tie in 82 years, ending with a 24-all affair against the Miami Dolphins. Bears rookie first-round draft pick Colston Loveland made his NFL debut, too.
He caught one of two targets, finishing with 8 yards.
It was an admittedly modest day, but Loveland was happy to be back on the field after having to be a spectator for the most part during the Bears’ offseason program.
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“It was a blessing. Cool being out there finally, playing a game against other people,” Loveland told Clocker Sports after the game on Sunday. “Wish we would have came out with a win and not a tie, but it was good, for sure.”
Loveland spoke about “itching” to get back to the physical aspects of football while sidelined.
He said much of his first gameday experience was like practice, where the Bears have brought the physicality since the pads came on in training camp. Still, Loveland relished the opportunity.
“It was nice,” Loveland told CS. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to be out there and do that. Just being out here with the guys. Got such a great group, such a fun group of to play with. So, it was fun.”
Most importantly for the Bears, Loveland said his shoulder is “good” and “feels great.”
Colston Loveland Could See Larger Role vs Bills
Loveland will have to compete for targets with veteran starter Cole Kmet during the regular season. But Sunday’s two-series stint is less an indication of how involved Loveland will be in the offense under head coach Ben Johnson than the Bears’ practices have been.
There, Loveland has quickly been integrated into the mix and even earned co-starter status with Kmet.
That depth chart is unofficial and is subject to change.
The Bears did not make Loveland the second-highest drafted tight end in franchise history (No. 10 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft), behind only Mike Ditka, to let him sit and learn, though.
Loveland got his feet wet on Sunday against the Dolphins. He figures to only see his role grow going forward, potentially as soon as next week, when the Bears will host the Buffalo Bills, again after a joint practice session.
Johnson was noncommittal about whether or not the Bears’ starters would play against the Bills.
Bears DE Austin Booker Steals Show
Bears second-year defensive end Austin Booker does not have the draft pedigree that Loveland does. Booker was a fifth-round pick in 2024. He was also a game-wrecker in the preseason opener.
The No. 144 overall pick of his class, Booker had 3.0 sacks, 4 quarterback hits, and forced a fumble by Dolphins rookie QB Quinn Ewers.
Booker also showcased his, and he called it to Clocker Sports, “B.T.A.” sack dance.
Booker is behind starters Dayo Odeyingbo and Montez Sweat, and he must stand out among a group of backups that also includes 2022 fifth-rounder Dominique Robinson and former Los Angeles Rams seventh-round selection (2022) Daniel Hardy.
Booker could see another significant snap share against the Bills, depending on how much work Johnson wants to get Loveland and the starters on both sides of the ball.