New Chicago Bears wide receiver Kalif Raymond wasn't necessarily brought in to be a game breaker. While he offers some depth in the receivers' room and a history in the return game, much of what we've heard out of the Bears during camp and preseason activities has been the general vibe he's brought into the mix as a veteran leader.
His experience compounded with what we've heard means that when he offers praise — particularly to one of the team's key players in tight end Colston Loveland — it's certainly something worth a listen. In this case, Raymond praised the work ethic of the Bears' second-year tight end.
In a league where the position has seen myriad names rise to the top of the 'impact' spectrum, the expectation is that the former Michigan
Wolverine will stake his claim to those deemed the position's elite in 2026. If Raymond's description of his work ethic is any indication, he's certainly on his way.
“That guy is exceptional, just from a talent level, how he runs routes, and his hands," Raymond said. "But what I love about Colston is he asks me every off day, ‘Hey Leaf, the JUGS machine is open.’ He’s got one at his house, so I went over and we caught probably 200 passes together. That’s the part people don’t see, he’s itching to work. That drive is what’s going to make him great.”
There was a bit of surprise when the Bears selected Colston Loveland at No. 10 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. But after his career took a bit to gain its footing, it became very clear, very quickly as to where the appeal rested for organizational leadership.
It's not just the skill set that Loveland possesses. It's exactly the traits noted here by Raymond. This is a player, in Raymond, who has played with the likes of T.J. Hockenson, Sam LaPorta, Evan Engram, and Jonnu Smith throughout his career.
Each of their mileage may very as to where they actually ascended in the ranks of the position, but Raymond has certainly been able to observe what it should look like from some of the more notable names out of the position in the last handful of seasons. The relentlessness in the work ethic is an objectively positive trait for a key contributor in this offense to possess.
Which means that the praise of Loveland's work ethic should have fans excited about the heights with which their second-year man could contend in 2026.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Kalif Raymond on what he admires most in Bears TE Colston Loveland
