Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III is entering his second season with the potential to be a breakout player in the NFL.
The former second-round pick showed his impressive potential as a rookie, totaling 47 catches on 60 targets for 652 yards and two touchdowns. Burden is also the reason why the Bears were able to trade DJ Moore and save cap space in the process. The Bears are betting big on Burden in 2026, and the sky is the limit. But don’t take it from me. Listen to head coach Ben Johnson.
“I’m buying Luther Burden stock right now,” Johnson said during OTAs. “He has been extremely coachable. …Yesterday, he had numerous explosive plays.”
Johnson doesn’t hand out immense praise casually, so it’s definitely noteworthy listening to one of the NFL’s brightest offensive minds discussing Burden’s growth between Year 1 and Year 2 and unlocking his full potential.
“He looks like he is moving at a different speed right now,” Johnson said. “He is not thinking as much. The game is slowing down for him.”
While first-round tight end Colston Loveland had a breakout season as a rookie, the stars are aligning for his draft mate Burden to have a similar impact in Year 2 with more experience and in his expanded role on offense. With Moore now with the Buffalo Bills, Burden will serve as the WR2 behind Rome Odunze, and his playmaking ability could be a nightmare for opposing defenses.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Ben Johnson puts the NFL on notice about Bears WR Luther Burden III
Reporting by Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
