Bears News: Colston Loveland all-in on Ben Johnson: "I'm a big fan"

Ariana Pensy - Correspondent - 6 hours ago

CHICAGO - Coming off an injury, there are some things tight end Colston Loveland was not able to do during rookie minicamp.

Nonetheless, he stated he got out a lot of minicamp as he was able to get mental reps.

“It’s the mental reps. They’re huge. They’re just as important. Just knowing the play, literally just acting like I’m in there. You know it’s different doing it, obviously. But, I’m just doing everything I can, taking the mental reps, in the playbook all the time. Just staying ahead,” Loveland said. “I’m working out. I’m running. I’m doing everything. The weight is not as heavy, obviously. But, we’re just taking that day by day, just stacking bricks and getting better.”

Prior to the draft, Chicago lacked the depth to fully execute head coach Ben Johnson’s pro style offense as this typically requires two tight ends. Loveland helps to fill that gap. During his three seasons in college, he recorded 117 receptions for 1,466 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Rookie minicamp gave Loveland his first taste of what it will be like to be coached by Johnson and he is already excited to learn from this offensive visionary.

“It’s a pro-style offense, always two tight ends on the field. A lot of the terminology and everything, it just flows right into it. We use the same stuff. So, it’s helped me for sure, got a long ways to go though. It’s a new offense. I’m just excited to get in it and get right,” Loveland said. “I’m a big fan. I love his spirit, his energy. He’s super determined. He’s ready to go. He’s ready to take this thing to the top and he’s no nice guy. I see him getting on (people’s) butts and fired up. Super excited. I’m loving how he coaches. It’s early and I’m excited to play for him.”

After drafting Loveland in the first round, the Bears gave quarterback Caleb Williams another weapon with wide receiver Luther Burden III with their first pick in the second round. He will have the benefit of learning from Riverdale, Illinois native Antwaan Randle El. Randle El joined Chicago’s coaching staff as the wide receiver’s coach; this will be his first season. Randle El had a similar build to Burden III during his playing days, although Burden III is a heavier receiver.

Burden III also had a fast 40-yard dash time at 4.41 seconds.

“I feel like he’s going to bring the best out of me. I (have) seen his past history,” Burden III said. “He’s a guy that’s been in my shoes, so he knows what to expect and different ways how to handle it. So, I’m grateful to have a great coach like him.”

Before the draft, there were concerns about Burden III’s maturity and practice habits. It could even be speculated that these concerns were the reason Burden III was still available in the second round.

However, that does not appear to have come to fruition as Burden III was an active participant in practice and is focused on learning the playbook.

“I’m just taking it day by day. I’m not really looking much ahead. I can’t. I’m just trying to control what I can control … “All I need is to believe in myself. I don’t need everybody else to believe in me. So, as long as I believe in myself, I’m going to handle business,” Burden III said. “Learning the playbook, finding my role on the team and just being around my teammates, getting to know them, getting to know everybody in the building.”

The draft may be over, but what happened to Burden III is something that he will never forget, stating “That’s staying with me forever. So, everybody who passed up on me got to pay.”