Colston Loveland has been through what the incoming Chicago Bears rookie class is experiencing at rookie minicamps this week. Transitioning from college to the NFL is not easy. Preparation is different. Expectations are different. Guys aren’t on scholarship anymore. They aren’t guaranteed anything. Even as a former 1st round pick, Loveland understood that his path to a primary role in the offense would have to be earned. That was especially true once he learned about the man coaching him.
Ben Johnson was no joke. The Bears’ head coach made it clear from the outset that the standard was high. Either you worked hard to meet it, or you sat on the bench. Loveland was asked by Larry Mayer of Chicagobears.com what incoming rookies should approach their first encounter with Johnson. His advice was straightforward and clear.
“They’re definitely going to be chomping at the bit to make plays and go hard, which is good, which you need to do. The biggest thing is to know what you’re doing. That’s really going to stand out because there are going to be a lot of people not knowing what they’re doing, running wrong routes. There’s going to be quick installs and then right to the field. They’ve got to process quickly, so definitely stay in the playbook, stay healthy, and just have fun. Go ball out. This is what everyone dreamed of.”
This demonstrates how well Loveland understands Johnson. He is more focused on what you know and how quickly you can learn than on how fast you can run or how strong you are.
Colston Loveland understood the assignment.
He isn’t there to scare the rookies into compliance. This isn’t some sort of hazing ritual. The tight end was merely telling it like it is. Johnson is notoriously rigid about his demands. He only puts players on the field that he believes he can trust. That is why Loveland didn’t see much action for the first few games of the 2025 season. The head coach didn’t yet see the precision and execution necessary. Once Loveland became oriented to NFL preparation, his playing time and production increased.
🔥 Subscribe to the Untold Chicago YouTube channel to hear Chicago legends tell stories you’ve never seen in headlines — real moments, real experiences, straight from the athletes themselves.
The good news is that most of the rookies in this class already understand the value of preparation. Second round pick Logan Jones started 51 games at Iowa, which is one of the best programs in the country for developing offensive linemen. Sam Roush, their 3rd round tight end, worked under former NFL head coach Frank Reich in his final year at Stanford. Both should have no trouble transitioning to Johnson’s style. The more interesting one to watch is Zavion Thomas, their 3rd round wide receiver. He has immense athletic ability, but is considered raw in several aspects. If anybody has the most to prove, it’s him.
Loveland is already a stud on the field.
Now he has a golden opportunity to establish himself as a locker room leader. It sounds like he is more than open to the idea. Part of why the Bears drafted him 10th overall last year was their belief that he had the type of football character needed to build a winner. He already proved that while helping Michigan win its national championship a few years ago. His willingness to offer guidance on how to acclimate quickly is a step in the right direction. Whether the rookies heed his words remains to be seen.
Rookie minicamps take place on May 8th and 9th. Then there will be a break before Organized Team Activities on May 27th through the 29th. Lastly, the Bears will hold mandatory minicamps on June 2nd through the 4th. That gives rookies just under a month to get settled and start learning the playbook before the team breaks for two months. While guys may not be in pads yet, this is a golden opportunity to make a big impression. Braxton Jones started on his path to winning the left tackle job as a rookie in 2022 in spring practices. Colston Loveland didn’t disappoint in his debut either. Who will it be this time?
