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Chicago Bears training camp is just around the corner, which means it’s time to start looking ahead at the roster the team is bringing to Lake Forest this month.
Rookies and quarterbacks are set to report to Halas Hall on July 25 with veterans following on July 28. But before that, we're unveiling our Bears 2026 training camp position previews, where we're breaking down every player by position and examining the biggest question facing the group.
We're continuing with the tight end group, which is arguably the biggest strength on the roster right now. Led by last year's standout rookie Colston Loveland, who led the team in receiving, and veteran Cole Kmet, who developed his blocking process, the Bears added an impactful rookie in Sam Roush to round out the group. If Chicago's offense finds success once again in 2026, the tight ends will be key.
While there were some initial hesitations about Chicago's decision to draft Colston Loveland at 10th overall last year, the rookie tight end put those thoughts to bed with a mini-breakout year where he showed his potential to be one of the league's most impactful tight ends. Loveland led the team in receptions (58) and receiving yards (713), and he really didn't even get going until midway through the 2025 season. More than that, Loveland showed up in big moments down the stretch, where he proved to be Caleb Williams' most dependable weapon. Now, with another year to work with Ben Johnson, Loveland is a top candidate for breakout player in 2026.
Following the selection of Loveland, Kmet took a backseat in the passing game last season, totaling 30 receptions on 48 targets for 347 yards and two touchdowns, which was his worst output since his rookie year. He never eclipsed 46 receiving yards in a game, but that didn't take away from his impact in Ben Johnson's fourth-ranked offense. Kmet excelled as a blocker that helped pave the way for the NFL's top-three rushing attack and proved to be a reliable pass catcher for Caleb Williams in a top-10 passing game. With Johnson's penchant for 12 and 13 personnel, Kmet will once again be a key player in this offense in 2026.
The Bears selected Sam Roush in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and the pick had Ben Johnson's fingerprints all over it. He rounds out a top tight end group in the league behind Loveland and Kmet. Roush likely won't factor into the passing game in a significant way, given the influx of weapons including Loveland, Kmet and receivers Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III, but his prowess as a blocker will prove key. Also, given Johnson's usage of 12 and 13 personnel, Roush should get plenty of action. Roush was one of the biggest standouts of the offseason, and it's clear the Bears have big plans for him as a rookie in an already-loaded tight end room. And if he has an impactful year, he could challenge Kmet for the TE2 role.
The Bears signed Hayden Large as an undrafted free agent earlier this offseason, and the rookie tight end garnered the interest of head coach Ben Johnson during the pre-draft process. He spent the last three seasons at Iowa, where he played in 38 games, including 12 starts, where he was a contributor both in the passing and running game. Large was a standout during rookie minicamp, and why it's unlikely he makes the 53-man roster given Loveland, Kmet and Roush are all locks, he'll be a top practice squad candidate and someone to keep an eye out for in the future.
Stephen Carlson has been a mainstay on Chicago's offseason roster for the last four years, where he's always been on the outside looking in with this tight end room. The former undrafted free agent by the Cleveland Browns in 2019 will have a chance to compete for a spot on the practice squad, and he's sure to get plenty of opportunities to showcase his ability in the preseason.
Qadir Ismail is entering his third NFL season, and second with the Bears, and he'll be contending for a practice squad spot -- in Chicago or elsewhere -- amid a crowded tight end room. Ismail, a former undrafted free agent in 2024, has had stints with the Baltimore Ravens (2024), Las Vegas Raiders (2025), New York Giants (2025) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2025) before landing with the Bears last season.
Nikola Kalinic is entering his second season with Chicago, and fourth year in the NFL, where he's looking to make a strong impression and earn a practice squad spot with the Bears or elsewhere in the league. Kalinic spent time on the Indianapolis Colts' active roster (2022) before practice squad stints with the Los Angeles Rams (2023-24) and Bears (2025). He played in Chicago's Week 12 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Now, this is more of a question for head coach Ben Johnson, but the way he's assembled this tight end room -- and who they might eye for the practice squad -- speaks volumes about his intentions in 2026. Also, it's a question we probably already know the answer to: A resounding "yes." But how can we expect Johnson to utilize his tight end trio of Loveland, Kmet and Roush? Loveland will no doubt be a top target in the passing game for Caleb Williams with Kmet and Roush stepping up as blockers. Johnson has earned a reputation for utilizing 12 and 13 personnel more than most offensive play callers in the league. In 2025, the Bears ran 12 personnel at a rate of 34.4% (sixth most in the NFL) and ran 131 snaps with 13 personnel (third most). When looking at the addition of Roush and Loveland's expected jump, it certainly feels like we can expect more of the same in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears training camp preview: Tight end room among best in NFL
Continue reading...
Rookies and quarterbacks are set to report to Halas Hall on July 25 with veterans following on July 28. But before that, we're unveiling our Bears 2026 training camp position previews, where we're breaking down every player by position and examining the biggest question facing the group.
We're continuing with the tight end group, which is arguably the biggest strength on the roster right now. Led by last year's standout rookie Colston Loveland, who led the team in receiving, and veteran Cole Kmet, who developed his blocking process, the Bears added an impactful rookie in Sam Roush to round out the group. If Chicago's offense finds success once again in 2026, the tight ends will be key.
Colston Loveland
While there were some initial hesitations about Chicago's decision to draft Colston Loveland at 10th overall last year, the rookie tight end put those thoughts to bed with a mini-breakout year where he showed his potential to be one of the league's most impactful tight ends. Loveland led the team in receptions (58) and receiving yards (713), and he really didn't even get going until midway through the 2025 season. More than that, Loveland showed up in big moments down the stretch, where he proved to be Caleb Williams' most dependable weapon. Now, with another year to work with Ben Johnson, Loveland is a top candidate for breakout player in 2026.
Cole Kmet
Following the selection of Loveland, Kmet took a backseat in the passing game last season, totaling 30 receptions on 48 targets for 347 yards and two touchdowns, which was his worst output since his rookie year. He never eclipsed 46 receiving yards in a game, but that didn't take away from his impact in Ben Johnson's fourth-ranked offense. Kmet excelled as a blocker that helped pave the way for the NFL's top-three rushing attack and proved to be a reliable pass catcher for Caleb Williams in a top-10 passing game. With Johnson's penchant for 12 and 13 personnel, Kmet will once again be a key player in this offense in 2026.
Sam Roush
The Bears selected Sam Roush in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and the pick had Ben Johnson's fingerprints all over it. He rounds out a top tight end group in the league behind Loveland and Kmet. Roush likely won't factor into the passing game in a significant way, given the influx of weapons including Loveland, Kmet and receivers Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III, but his prowess as a blocker will prove key. Also, given Johnson's usage of 12 and 13 personnel, Roush should get plenty of action. Roush was one of the biggest standouts of the offseason, and it's clear the Bears have big plans for him as a rookie in an already-loaded tight end room. And if he has an impactful year, he could challenge Kmet for the TE2 role.
Hayden Large
The Bears signed Hayden Large as an undrafted free agent earlier this offseason, and the rookie tight end garnered the interest of head coach Ben Johnson during the pre-draft process. He spent the last three seasons at Iowa, where he played in 38 games, including 12 starts, where he was a contributor both in the passing and running game. Large was a standout during rookie minicamp, and why it's unlikely he makes the 53-man roster given Loveland, Kmet and Roush are all locks, he'll be a top practice squad candidate and someone to keep an eye out for in the future.
Stephen Carlson
Stephen Carlson has been a mainstay on Chicago's offseason roster for the last four years, where he's always been on the outside looking in with this tight end room. The former undrafted free agent by the Cleveland Browns in 2019 will have a chance to compete for a spot on the practice squad, and he's sure to get plenty of opportunities to showcase his ability in the preseason.
Qadir Ismail
Qadir Ismail is entering his third NFL season, and second with the Bears, and he'll be contending for a practice squad spot -- in Chicago or elsewhere -- amid a crowded tight end room. Ismail, a former undrafted free agent in 2024, has had stints with the Baltimore Ravens (2024), Las Vegas Raiders (2025), New York Giants (2025) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2025) before landing with the Bears last season.
Nikola Kalinic
Nikola Kalinic is entering his second season with Chicago, and fourth year in the NFL, where he's looking to make a strong impression and earn a practice squad spot with the Bears or elsewhere in the league. Kalinic spent time on the Indianapolis Colts' active roster (2022) before practice squad stints with the Los Angeles Rams (2023-24) and Bears (2025). He played in Chicago's Week 12 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Big Question: Can we expect a lot of 12 and 13 personnel once again in 2026?
Now, this is more of a question for head coach Ben Johnson, but the way he's assembled this tight end room -- and who they might eye for the practice squad -- speaks volumes about his intentions in 2026. Also, it's a question we probably already know the answer to: A resounding "yes." But how can we expect Johnson to utilize his tight end trio of Loveland, Kmet and Roush? Loveland will no doubt be a top target in the passing game for Caleb Williams with Kmet and Roush stepping up as blockers. Johnson has earned a reputation for utilizing 12 and 13 personnel more than most offensive play callers in the league. In 2025, the Bears ran 12 personnel at a rate of 34.4% (sixth most in the NFL) and ran 131 snaps with 13 personnel (third most). When looking at the addition of Roush and Loveland's expected jump, it certainly feels like we can expect more of the same in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears training camp preview: Tight end room among best in NFL
Continue reading...
