LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Ben Johnson and some Chicago Bears staffers met with tight end Colston Loveland last month at Michigan’s pro day. The coach asked the draft prospect during that session which NFL tight ends he liked to watch.

Loveland made a smart decision while naming a few. He included Sam LaPorta.

That was a compliment to Johnson, who as the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator helped turn LaPorta into a star.

Then Johnson complimented Loveland right back.

“Coach Johnson’s like, ‘Yeah, you remind me a lot of him. We can do a lot of things — obviously, we did a lot of things with LaPorta,’ ” Loveland said Thursday night after the Bears made him the No. 10 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. “And he’s like, ‘Yeah, I can see you doing a lot of those things as well.’

“That was pretty cool to hear. And obviously now seeing it all come full circle, I’m excited.”

He should be. Johnson worked wonders with LaPorta, a 2023 second-round pick out of Iowa. He has 146 catches for 1,615 yards and 17 touchdowns in two NFL seasons, plus a Pro Bowl nod in his rookie campaign.

The players are similar in terms of their ability to create separation and move around the formation.

Receiving similar production out of Loveland would be a boon for Bears, who boast a versatile and dynamic group of skill-position players. That includes Cole Kmet, who still will be heavily used in a Bears offense that should feature tons of 12 personnel (two tight end sets).

“I think they have a little bit of complementary skill sets, but also for us, it’s being able to mix and match those guys,” Bears senior director of player personnel Jeff King said. “Cole can do a lot of different things as well. So having two guys with size that can separate, that can run with the ball in their hands, I think it creates mismatches. It creates creativity for an offense in Ben’s eyes. You know, I think, again, a real good fit for what we’re trying to build.”

Johnson’s creativity will be key in making the Bears’ offense work. Loveland knows all about that. Watching the Lions was easier with Loveland at Michigan and in the Detroit market area. And, after getting to know Johnson a bit, he left with a solid impression of his new coach.

“Before I even met him, just watching Detroit last year, the things they were doing — man, really smart,” Loveland said. “Knows what he’s doing. Knows football. Finally being able to talk with him and meet with him and pick his brain, I’m the No. 1 fan of that guy for sure. He’s legit. He’s a stud. I can’t wait to be on to that.

“I know he’s going to put us in a great position, put Chicago in great position to win games. I’m super excited for it.”