Bears TE Colston Loveland expected Chargers could draft him, aiming for reunion with Jim Harbaugh

What Colston Loveland expected to happen in the 2026 NFL Draft did not exactly match what did happen, but the tight end’s comments still reveal how NFL dreams form in real time. In an interview on the YouTube show “Bussin’ With The Boys,” Loveland said he thought he was going to be drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers and, in the process, reunite with Jim Harbaugh, his former head coach.

The expectation mattered because it was not just about getting picked by any team. Loveland’s belief centered on a specific franchise fit and a specific coach relationship, two factors that often drive how prospects evaluate opportunities before the draft and how they talk about their development after it. Harbaugh is known for setting a clear identity for his teams, and for a player, that can translate into a defined role and a sharper early learning curve.

As it turned out, Loveland was drafted by the Bears at No. 10 overall, not the Chargers at No. 22. The gap is large enough that it changes the entire early-career environment, from play-calling style to the personnel around him and the timeline for how a team wants a tight end to contribute.

Even so, Loveland’s framing suggests he has already been processing his pro landing spot through the same “coach-and-scheme” lens he used in college. By discussing Harbaugh as part of his expectation, Loveland implicitly pointed to what he values most: structure, expectations, and the chance to develop in a system rather than just chase targets.

For the Chargers, the subtext in Loveland’s comments is that their interest, at least in the way prospects sometimes perceive draft positioning, existed in the broader narrative of that tight end class. Whether or not the team’s intent matched what Loveland believed, the conversation reflects how quickly a single draft turn can transform a storyline from potential reunion to immediate division-rival reality.

For Chicago, the tight end position has become a meaningful part of modern passing games, and a player drafted that high is typically expected to learn quickly and earn trust in high-leverage situations. Loveland now enters that competition with the added perspective of having believed his path might be different, a mental shift that can matter when a player tries to convert draft investment into early production.

Going forward, what to watch is not only whether Loveland’s role expands, but how quickly the Bears integrate his skill set into their weekly game plan. Tight ends often start by mastering routes, timing, and matchup recognition, then grow into more frequent target opportunities as the quarterback’s rhythm and the coaching staff’s confidence settle in. Loveland’s comments, even without additional specifics, point to a player who is motivated by opportunity and fit, not just draft status.