The Chicago Bears will have an intriguing year with their passing game as third-year quarterback Caleb Williams prepares to work with a revamped receiver group that should see second-year playmaker Luther Burden in a bigger role.
Following Chicago’s trade of veteran wide receiver DJ Moore, Burden will find himself with more responsibility on offense, and veterans around the team are showing their faith in him. Burden could very well compete against Rome Odunze for the team’s top receiver spot and Williams’ go-to option, as he showed explosive spurts when given opportunities.
Running back D’Andre Swift is one of several veterans who have taken notice of the former second-round pick and recently spoke about Burden’s hunger driving him to the next level.
“Got a young man that’s hungry, that knows his ability, confident,” Swift said. “Because every day he goes to work, he knows his ability, and it shows. “I sensed [that hunger] last year, when he first walked in the building. Once you meet him and talk to him and see his style of play, what you see is what you get, and that’s who he is every single day.”
Swift and Burden will both be relied on to have big roles under Ben Johnson’s offense in Year 2, and if Burden continues trending upward, Chicago may have a real dangerous threat on their hands. In his rookie season, Burden hauled in 47 receptions, 652 yards, and two touchdowns, in limited action. If what veterans like Swift are seeing come to fruition, Burden could become a superstar for the Bears.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: D’Andre Swift on why Bears WR Luther Burden is primed for breakout
Reporting by Mike Pendleton, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
