Stephen Carlson

Career StatsD

Year	Team	GP	Rec	Yards	TD
Career		25	6	62	1
2025		2	—	—	—
2024		4	5	36	0
2023		3

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

This signing grades out as a significant overpay for the Chicago Bears — the team is paying more than the on-field production currently warrants. Stephen's on-field performance ranks in the bottom quartile among NFL TEs, grading him as an unproven at the position. His $1.1M average annual value ranks as bargain money for the TE market. The concern here is the gap between production and cost — unproven output at bargain money means the team is paying a premium above the player's on-field value. Stephen is squarely in his prime, which adds to the deal's upside — the team should get multiple productive seasons out of this contract.

Performance Analysis

Stephen Carlson is, by every honest measure, a replacement-level tight end operating well outside the tier of meaningful roster contributors — his performance grade reflects a player who exists on the fringes of an NFL roster rather than one who shapes a game plan. The most notable data point in his limited sample is the 36-yard catch-and-run, a burst of situational athleticism that generated headlines but should not be mistaken for a consistent role or reliable production level. In just 2 games, the sample size alone tells the story: this is a depth piece activated out of necessity, not a player earning snaps on merit in a competitive environment. At 29 years old and in his sixth NFL season as an undrafted player, Carlson has carved out a career as a practice squad staple — the kind of veteran who knows a system well enough to be trusted in an emergency but not relied upon as a starter. That emergency is exactly what brought him here: the elevation is a direct response to Colston Loveland's injury, and the expectation, consistent with how these situations unfold, is that Carlson returns to the practice squad once Loveland is healthy. Chicago's Bears have been active in the offseason with a series of roster additions across multiple positions, but Carlson's inclusion in that picture is purely circumstantial. This is temporary depth management, not a statement about the tight end room's future.

Fan Sentiment

A classic emergency depth move with minimal long-term football significance. Headlines confirm this signing stems directly from Colston Loveland's injury, a reactive rather than strategic addition. The 36-yard highlight catch shows athleticism, but Carlson is a practice squad-level player. Fans are rightfully focused on Loveland's injury severity rather than Carlson's actual upside. Carlson returns to the practice squad once Loveland recovers, making this a temporary placeholder move.