Is Colston Loveland the Next Elite TE? Wild Card Blowup vs. Packers Sparks Fantasy Frenzy for 2026!

Every once in a blue moon, a rookie just flips the script on what we expect — and that’s exactly what Colston Loveland did for the Chicago Bears in their jaw-dropping playoff comeback against the Packers. With the scoreboard teetering and pressure mounting, this young tight end stepped out of the shadows, proving that persistence and grit can steal the show on football’s biggest platform. I mean, Loveland’s rookie year wasn’t exactly a smooth ride — injuries, limited snaps, the works — yet when it counted most, he was there, catching fire and turning heads. Now, on the latest Yahoo Fantasy Forecast podcast, experts Matt Harmon and Scott Pianowski are hashing out whether this kid deserves to be a top-tier fantasy tight end heading into the 2026 season. It’s a compelling look at opportunity, talent, and timing — things that can make or break a player’s trajectory, especially in fantasy drafts. Think Loveland’s just getting started? You might be onto something. LEARN MORE

The Chicago Bears pulled off one of the best comebacks in NFL playoff history in a 31-27 win over the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round this past weekend. A big reason why they were able to do so was rookie TE Colston Loveland, who had an up-and-down first year in the league but showed up on the biggest stage. On the latest episode of the Yahoo Fantasy Forecast podcast, analyst Matt Harmon and Scott Pianowski discussed whether Loveland should be considered a TE1 for fantasy football going into the 2026 season.

Pianowski begins by pointing out that Loveland had stepped up during the season when injuries to WRs Rome Odunze, DJ Moore and Luther Burden III opened up more opportunities. But on Saturday night, everyone was healthy, yet QB Caleb Williams peppered Loveland all game. Pianowski likes that Loveland was targeted on and converted a crucial two-point conversion late in the fourth quarter, reminding everyone that goal-line equity is important when evaluating the tight end position in fantasy.

#Bears WR/TE routes Saturday, in Rome Odunze’s first game back. On 53 Caleb Williams dropbacks:

1. Colston Loveland 48
2. DJ Moore 46
3. Rome Odunze 39
4. Luther Burden 35
5. Cole Kmet 23
6. Olamide Zaccheaus 14

* More 3-WR sets squeezes down Kmet role

* Took nearly entire…

— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) January 12, 2026

Maybe it’s irresponsible to think Loveland can be the top tight end overall in fantasy next season, but Pianowski thinks it’ll happen at some point in the youngster’s promising career.

Harmon likes the trajectory of this Bears offense going into next season and thinks Loveland would be the first Chicago receiver off the board in drafts for 2026 right now.

Loveland, who was selected with the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, had a slow start to this season. He dealt with injury before the season began and missed Week 4. Loveland didn’t start to play significant snaps until Week 7 before breaking out in Week 9 versus the Bengals with a 6-118-2 line. Despite missing time and the slow start, Loveland still finished as the TE14 in half-PPR scoring after posting 58 catches for 713 yards and six TDs.