An offseason of both acknowledgment and rising expectations continues for Bears’ TE Colston Loveland. After being featured among the top 10 players at his position earlier this summer, the 2nd year man can now be found alongside a group of both rookies and veterans poised to make an impact on the retail market. This comes via the NFLPA’s annual “Rising Stars List”, which “forecasts [the] next wave of players expected to drive fan demand and merchandise sales.”
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As mentioned, the list highlights both rookies and veteran players, with Loveland appearing alongside notable veterans such as Las Vegas Raiders TE Brock Bowers, Buffalo Bills RB James Cook, and New England Patriots DB Christian Gonzalez. Unsurprisingly, the rookie side of the list features a number of highly-drafted players in some big markets, such as Las Vegas Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza, Dallas Cowboys S Caleb Downs, and New York Giants LB Arvell Reese.
Loveland’s marketability can be debated, but there’s certainly a strong case to be made in his favor. His strong performance on the field, the home market of Chicago, and the charisma he’s displayed both on and off the field likely serve as the foundation of his place on this list. Heck, he’s even going to be featured in the upcoming Bears-centric Hallmark movie! This list serves as the latest endorsement of Loveland, and those of us with a rooting interest in the Chicago Bears can only hope that his play in the upcoming season is reflective of all of these offseason expectations.
You can check out the full NFLPA Rising Stars List here.
