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Luther Burden III is primed to make a massive Year 2 leap. Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson praised his ascending wide receiver Thursday afternoon, telling reporters, "I'm buying Luther Burden stock right now" after seeing him shine throughout OTAs.
A second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Burden played 15 games as a rookie and finished third on the team in receptions (47) and fourth in yards (652). He tallied those respectable numbers despite having a limited route tree along with D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze and Olamide Zaccheaus all playing more snaps than him.
Moore and Zaccheaus are now gone to the Buffalo Bills and Atlanta Falcons, respectively, opening the door for Burden to prove his rookie season flashes were merely a sign of greatness to come. Burden has done exactly that so far, with Johnson saying he's popped off for numerous explosive plays and is "playing a at a different speed right now."
The Bears utilized Burden's explosiveness on screens and short throws last season, and in 2026 you'll see it all over the field.
"I think there's a lot more to his game that we've worked to unlock, and he's been really receptive to how he can get that done," Johnson said. "He ran a route yesterday, it was the first time he'd run the route, and he ran it as well as I've been around. Things like that get you really excited as a coach."
Johnson, the former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator under Dan Campbell, took the Bears to the Divisional Round in his first year at the helm. Expectations will be even higher for him and Caleb Williams in their second year together, especially with Burden proving to be a potential WR1.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Luther Burden III has believer in Bears coach ahead of potential breakout season
Continue reading...
A second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Burden played 15 games as a rookie and finished third on the team in receptions (47) and fourth in yards (652). He tallied those respectable numbers despite having a limited route tree along with D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze and Olamide Zaccheaus all playing more snaps than him.
Moore and Zaccheaus are now gone to the Buffalo Bills and Atlanta Falcons, respectively, opening the door for Burden to prove his rookie season flashes were merely a sign of greatness to come. Burden has done exactly that so far, with Johnson saying he's popped off for numerous explosive plays and is "playing a at a different speed right now."
The Bears utilized Burden's explosiveness on screens and short throws last season, and in 2026 you'll see it all over the field.
"I think there's a lot more to his game that we've worked to unlock, and he's been really receptive to how he can get that done," Johnson said. "He ran a route yesterday, it was the first time he'd run the route, and he ran it as well as I've been around. Things like that get you really excited as a coach."
Johnson, the former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator under Dan Campbell, took the Bears to the Divisional Round in his first year at the helm. Expectations will be even higher for him and Caleb Williams in their second year together, especially with Burden proving to be a potential WR1.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Luther Burden III has believer in Bears coach ahead of potential breakout season
Continue reading...
