Colston Loveland’s Last-Second Touchdown Lifts Michigan to 2025 National Championship Berth

Dateline: Chicago – December 31, 2025 Rookie tight end Colston Loveland has gone from intriguing first-round pick to breakout star in a matter of weeks, and his latest primetime showcase has Bears fans — and search engines — buzzing. PRIMETIME PERFORMANCE THAT STARTED THE SURGE With DJ Moore and Rome Odunze sidelined, Loveland torched the 49ers for six catches, 94 yards and a leaping 36-yard touchdown, repeatedly bailing out Caleb Williams on third and fourth down in the 42-38 shoot-out at Levi’s Stadium. It was the second straight week the 6-6, 250-pounder topped 90 yards, pushing his season totals to 57 receptions, 712 yards and seven scores — all franchise rookie records for a tight end. FROM QUESTION MARK TO ESPN ALL-ROOKIE LOCK National recognition followed quickly: ESPN slotted Loveland onto its 2025 All-Rookie Team on Tuesday, praising his “block-and-go” versatility and red-zone dominance. The accolade validates general manager Ryan Poles’ decision to select the Idaho native 10th overall despite existing weapons on the roster. CHEMISTRY WITH CALEB WILLIAMS Inside Halas Hall, coaches say Loveland’s knack for improvisation has accelerated Williams’ growth. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has begun calling him the “automatic hot read,” and the rookie duo’s scramble-drill timing already invites comparisons to the Patrick Mahomes–Travis Kelce connection that reshaped Kansas City. PLAYOFF IMPLICATIONS Chicago clinched the NFC North two weeks ago, but Loveland’s emergence gives the league’s No. 4 scoring offense a new dimension heading into January. He ranks third among NFL tight ends in yards after catch per reception since Week 10, a metric that forces defenses to choose between doubling Luther Burden III outside or bracketing the middle against Loveland. FANTASY FOOTBALL AND BETTING IMPACT Loveland’s late-season surge has vaulted him into the top-five tight ends in most fantasy playoff formats. Sportsbooks have responded by trimming his anytime-TD odds from +320 in mid-December to +190 ahead of Sunday’s finale versus Detroit. Expect another target spike with Odunze still day-to-day. WHAT’S NEXT: WEEK 18 VS LIONS, THEN THE WILD-CARD The Bears finish the regular season at Soldier Field on January 5; a win locks up the NFC’s No. 2 seed. Detroit’s defense ranks 30th against tight ends, setting the stage for another Loveland highlight reel. After that, Chicago could host the lowest remaining seed on Wild-Card Weekend — and no team wants to face a red-hot rookie who already looks playoff-ready. KEYWORDS TO WATCH Colston Loveland stats, Bears vs Lions how to watch, Caleb Williams connection, ESPN All-Rookie Team, Chicago Bears playoff schedule, fantasy football waiver wire tight end, rookie tight end records. BOTTOM LINE Whether you’re a fantasy manager hunting championship points, a bettor tracking player props, or simply a Bears supporter starved for postseason success, keep Colston Loveland on your radar. The trending tight end isn’t just Chicago’s future — he’s their present headline-maker and the NFL’s newest must-see mismatch.