Night one of the 2025 NFL Draft was full of surprises. There were unexpected trades, shocking selections, and a high-energy atmosphere that made for an exciting first round. Amid the chaos, the Chicago Bears stayed put at the 10th overall pick and selected Michigan tight end Colston Loveland.
A Surprise Selection at Tight End
The Loveland pick caught many off guard. Heading into the draft, most analysts had Penn State’s Tyler Warren as the top tight end target for Chicago. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean Warren was the better player or fit. Loveland’s skill set clearly aligned with what GM Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson were looking for.
Bears fans, meet Colston Loveland
pic.twitter.com/oLHuj2vyGR— Dave (@dave_bfr) April 25, 2025
Ryan Poles Sheds Light on Draft Strategy
After the first round concluded, Bears GM Ryan Poles spoke with the media and offered insight into the team’s approach. When asked whether the Bears had made any calls to trade up or down, Poles gave a revealing answer.
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“When we made those calls up, it took you out.. I briefly mentioned this on Tuesday — there’s a run coming up here that I think you can make a pretty big impact on your football team. To give up that for one person, so giving up two for one — and it probably would’ve been even more than that — it just didn’t make sense.”
Bears GM Ryan Poles on why they didn't trade up pic.twitter.com/8kUp87NQD5
— Dave (@dave_bfr) April 25, 2025
Was Ashton Jeanty the Target?
The most telling part of Poles response was his emphasis on not wanting to give up multiple picks for one player. That alone fuels speculation that the Bears had serious interest in running back Ashton Jeanty. Several NFL insiders reported that Chicago was making calls to trade ahead of the Las Vegas Raiders, who ultimately selected Jeanty at No. 6.
Given the buzz, it seems likely that the Bears were eyeing Jeanty as a potential offensive weapon. But in the end, Poles prioritized retaining his second-round picks — a smart long-term play for a team still building out its roster.
Ashton Jeanty would’ve been a fun addition in Chicago.
But I’m fine with not giving up premium draft picks to land him.
— Dave (@dave_bfr) April 25, 2025
Final Thoughts
Sure, Ashton Jeanty would’ve been a dynamic and exciting addition to the Bears offense. But sacrificing premium draft capital for one player just didn’t make sense. Staying at 10 and landing Colston Loveland instead might prove to be the better move in the long run.
