Topic number four of our Bears post-draft roundtable!
We’ve all had some time to reflect on the 2025 NFL Draft, so give us your answer to this question.
Which of their selections will have the biggest long-term impact for the Chicago Bears?
Jeff Berckes: Taking Colston Loveland is such a big swing, and if he reaches the heights you think he can, he’s a superstar tight end. That could change everything about how the offense is designed and operates. Exciting stuff.
Jacob Infante: I’ll go with Luther Burden III for this one. Coincidentally, I compared him to DJ Moore in my draft guide as my player comparison for him. If he meets those expectations, which I think he can, and if the offense incorporates him properly beyond Year 1, it would be a tremendous value add on Day 2.
Josh Sunderbruch: It better be Loveland. Taking a TE in the top ten when you already have a starting-level TE is a bold move. He has all the tools to be an impact player, and now he needs to show that the team was right in taking him as high as they did. If a team takes a player in the Top 10 and he’s not the biggest impact player they took, something probably went wrong.
Sam Householder: If Ozzy Trapilo becomes a starter on the offensive line, I think he could anchor a spot for years.
Mongo Peanut: Burden. He and Loveland are both young prospects, so they have lots of time to make long-term impacts. With that said, Burden just looks like the type of slot receiver that is destined to put up 80 catches and 1,200 yards year in and year out. With coaching from a savvy route runner like Randle-El, Burden is only going to sharpen.
Erik Duerrwaechter: Eventually, we will see Colston Loveland find his groove and dominate as a nightmare matchup for years to come. Tight End is a notoriously difficult position to settle into at the NFL level. He’s also not going to be asked to be the Bears’ top weapon as a rookie. There’s no pressure on being “the guy” with so many weapons everywhere for the Bears. Give him a couple of years, and he’ll come into his own.
Bryan Orenchuk: I feel Colston Loveland will have the greatest long-term impact on this team. The first hand-picked player with Ben Johnson on staff who quickly morphed Sam LaPorta into an All-Pro and Pro Bowler as a rookie figures to follow a similar path, as both players have similar skillsets.
Dr. Mason West: I almost said Ozzy here because I think he will he a solid NFL player for a decade, but who’s to say he gets a 2nd contract with the Bears? We see quality OL leave in FA all the time. So, I’ll go with Loveland. If he reaches his ceiling, that’s a guy you pay.
TJ Starman: I think a lot of players have potential here, but the obvious answer seems like the most likely one: Colston Loveland. At minimum, I think he’ll be a high-end TE2 over the next 5 years, which is more than I am willing to say for any other pick right now.
Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.: Loveland just turned 21, and if he hits his ceiling, he’ll be a game-changing weapon for several years.