Bears: We hit a 'home run' by drafting TE Colston Loveland
Colston Loveland’s 137 receiving yards Saturday were the second-most in Bears postseason history since at least 1933, and the most by a Bears tight end or rookie.
He also caught a two-point conversion pass to put the Bears down three to the Packers with 4:18 to play in a game they'd win 31-27.
“We got a home run with him,” quarterback Caleb Williams said.
Meeting in Ben Johnson’s office this week, Williams and the coach agreed the team drafted Loveland 10th overall for moments like these.
“That's who he is — one of the hardest workers on this team,” Williams said. “He's there late, he's there early. His body language when he's on the field, all of that, is -- I'm excited for what's to come. I'm excited for what we got to show for these next couple weeks, and then what is to come in the future for our trust, our bond.”
Johnson said he was “just scratching the surface of what he's going to become.”
Loveland, who won a national title at Michigan, called Saturday one of the favorite experiences of his career.
“We got bigger dreams,” he said. “But definitely going to cherish this one.”
Notes
• DJ Moore’s 25-yard go-ahead touchdown was the result of clever design. The Bears lined up with an uneven line, with right tackle Darnell Wright playing to the left of left tackle Theo Benedet and tight end Cole Kmet lined up at right tackle.
At the snap, Wright pretended to pull to block on the fake screen, leaving Moore to sprint down the left sideline practically uncovered.
“The guys did a great job selling it,” Williams said.
• Slot cornerback Kyler Gordon played 62% of the snaps, mostly in the second half, in his return from a four-game injured reserve stint. Nick McCloud played 28% of the snaps. Gordon had the sixth-worst Pro Football Focus coverage grade of the 22 cornerbacks who played Saturday. McCloud the ninth-worst.
• Cairo Santos’ 51-yard fourth-quarter field goal was the longest postseason kick in Bears history.
• Devin Duvernay’s 64 yards over three punt returns were the most in Bears postseason history in the Super Bowl era.