👋 Good morning!

If you’re still a bit stunned by last night’s pick, I get it.

Colston Loveland wasn’t the sexy pick or an expected one, especially with Tyler Warren still on the board at the time.

But what’s wrong with pivoting from flashier desires when those desires are what led to a new decision-maker being front and center in the draft room this year?

New head coach Ben Johnson’s fingerprints are all over this selection, which should be the case when you’re paying him $13 million annually to be involved in the big decisions.

Trusting Johnson means trusting the pick, even if you’re a bit unfamiliar with Loveland.

– Patrick Norton

Colston Loveland, Chicago Bear

Offers were on the table, phone conversations were had, but none of it mattered. Staying put paid off, and Ben Johnson got his guy with the No. 10 pick: Colston Loveland.

• Ryan Poles on Loveland: “He's someone who pairs well with Cole (Kmet), along with our other playmakers, and really creates headaches for a defense to go against. Love how he competes, his fire. This kid, he is physical, he is tough. He plays the game the right way.”
   

• Joining Elite Company: Loveland is the third tight end ever selected by the Bears in the first round of an NFL Draft. The other two? Mike Ditka in 1961 and Greg Olsen in 2007.
   

• Trend or Coincidence? The Bears have not drafted a defensive player in the first round since picking linebacker Roquan Smith with the eighth pick in 2018.

“We’re cooking with hot grease now,” Ben Johnson told Loveland over the phone as the head coach rocked back and forth in his chair, unable to contain his excitement. “This is a match made in Heaven.”

That excitement was mutual, as Loveland told reporters in a brief virtual press conference when asked about Johnson, “Number one fan of that guy, for sure.”

Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 248 lbs., Loveland’s frame, plus his skillset as a pass-catcher and willingness as a blocker, is something coaches dream of having a chance to craft into something special.

Johnson will get that chance in Chicago after leaving Sam LaPorta behind in Detroit as the 2023 second-rounder blossoms into one of the league’s top tight ends.

Speaking of LaPorta, when Loveland met with Bears brass at his Michigan pro day, and the team asked him about his favorite tight ends in the league, Loveland made sure to include the Lions’ TE.

As a result, according to Loveland, Johnson turned toward the 21-year-old and said, “Yeah, you remind me a lot of him.”

And as for Ryan Poles’ decision not to move off the No. 10 pick, the GM told us, “At the end of the day, the way that it fell, we felt really comfortable with how it worked out."

GO DEEPER: My full story on Loveland and his fit with Ben Johnson’s Bears

Quick Hits

What’s Next? Chicago drafted best player available in their eyes on Thursday, but things get a bit more interesting tonight. Can the Bears afford to use another high pick on a skill position like running back, despite the weaknesses that remain within the trenches?

Chicago is still in possession of all of the picks they entered the draft with, including No. 39, No. 41 (No. 7 & 9 in the second round), and No. 72 later tonight.

Keep an eye on Minnesota left tackle Aireontae Ersery early in the round. He’d be a heck of a developmental piece behind Braxton Jones this season.

Sweet dreams…

Today!

⚾️ Cubs vs. Phillies
1:20 on Marquee

📺 CHGO Blackhawks
2:00 on YouTube

📺 CHGO Bulls
4:00 on YouTube

📺 CHGO Bears
DRAFT DAY 2!
6:00 on YouTube

⚾️ White Sox @ Athletics
9:05 on CHSN

Talk to you later!