The Chicago Bears have no shortage of weapons in head coach Ben Johnson’s offense, but there’s one name that continues to come up amid breakout potential conversation — wide receiver Luther Burden III.
The former second-round pick showed his speed, versatility and playmaking potential in a limited role last season, but following the departure of veteran DJ Moore, Burden is gearing up for an extended role opposite Rome Odunze. Johnson sang Burden’s praises this week at OTAs, saying he’s “buying Luther Burden stock,” which is certainly noteworthy from one of the NFL’s best offensive minds.
“He looks like he’s playing at a different speed right now,” Johnson said. “And you knew he had it in him. He’s a 4.4 guy, and yet, those time speeds don’t always translate to real speed, football speed, the game tape – and so I think we’re starting to see that now he’s playing, he’s not thinking as much, and he knows what we’re trying to do.”
Burden is poised for a massive breakout year amid Chicago’s collective group of weapons, featuring last year’s standout rookie tight end Colston Loveland and receiver Rome Odunze. So what has Burden been doing to put himself in a position to take that next step?
“I was just here,” Burden said. “Working, working, working. I was just trying to get bigger, faster, stronger, get more familiar with the playbook, make sure I come in comfortable, so I can play faster.”
As a rookie, Burden had 47 catches on 60 targets for 652 yards and two touchdowns as a fourth receiving option on offense. There’s no doubt that Burden should increase his production and perhaps even emerge as one of the Bears’ biggest weapons in his sophomore season.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: How Bears WR Luther Burden is positioning himself for breakout year
Reporting by Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
