Ben Johnson’s Intense First Meeting With Colston Loveland Proves Bears Found Far More Than A Play-Caller

The Chicago Bears seemed to have a clear focus going into the 2025 draft. With the 10th overall pick, they had a big opportunity to bolster the trenches on either side of the ball. However, as the 1st round unfolded, it became clear that the nine teams ahead of them had the same thought. By the time the clock started for the Bears, the well had mostly dried up at those positions. Not that it mattered. Head coach Ben Johnson already had somebody in mind. Chicago selected Michigan tight end Colston Loveland a few minutes later.

The decision came as a shock. The Bears already had a proven starter in Cole Kmet. Going tight end at that spot felt more like a luxury than a need. Truth be told, it was a case of Johnson and general manager Ryan Poles feeling Loveland was a talent they couldn’t pass on. Their decision proved correct. The rookie finished with 713 yards and six touchdowns, then delivered on the biggest stage with 137 yards in the wild card win over Green Bay.

Loveland spoke to CHGO about his first meeting with Johnson. It didn’t take him long to realize that the head coach was intense and detailed. It was one of the longest sessions Loveland had with any team, and confirmed to him the Bears were interested.

This is further proof Ben Johnson understands talent evaluation.

Plenty of coaches throughout NFL history have been great at developing players, but surprisingly not so great at evaluating them. It is why you often see head coaches who gain full personnel authority over a team don’t do well. So when it became clear that Bears ownership agreed to give Johnson final say over the roster, it was a gamble. No head coach had gotten such power since Dave Wannstedt, and that only lasted a year. Nobody was sure if Johnson was up to the demanding task of going through the evaluation process.

The interview with Loveland proves it. Watching film and testing times in athletic drills are one thing. They showcase the physical potential of prospects. Yet that is only half of the equation. Mental toughness and work ethic are what set great players apart from everyone else. Ben Johnson understood that the only way to gauge whether Loveland was the real deal was to grill him in that interview, testing his intelligence, mental stamina, and resilience under pressure. It sounds like the tight end passed the test.

Johnson is more than just a great play caller.

Great head coaches have to be more than that. They must be leaders and understand how to make sound decisions in the heat of battle. Yet what is often forgotten about the best of the best is they were also damn good at evaluating talent. Chuck Noll built the Pittsburgh Steelers dynasty of the 1970s. Bill Walsh did the same with the San Francisco 49ers of the 1980s. Jimmy Johnson had his fingerprints all over the 1990s Dallas Cowboys, and Bill Belichick called the shots in New England for 20 years.

The last Bears head coach who was both a leader and an excellent evaluator was probably George Halas himself. If Ben Johnson is anywhere near that same level, then the Bears are in store for glorious times ahead. His first draft class certainly would have you think so.

Don’t forget he was also a key voice in helping the Lions draft Jameson Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Sam LaPorta. If he can somehow expand his repertoire to include defensive players, the Bears are in business.