Luther Burden III is About to Go Off

The Chicago Bears were must-see TV on offense in Ben Johnson's first year as head coach, as quarterback Caleb Williams and a group of dynamic playmakers put on a weekly show on their way to winning the NFC North title.

Among those explosive weapons was rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III, an early second-round pick in last year's NFL Draft who was widely regarded as a first-round lock throughout the predraft process.

After flashing his high-end talent multiple times throughout his rookie campaign, Burden is primed to make a big leap in his sophomore campaign for the Bears.

Luther Burden III's Big-Play Ability is Obvious

After a slow start to his rookie season, Burden finished the season strong, providing a ton of explosive plays that showed off his impressive skill set. His lightning-quick route-running ability allowed him to create consistent separation, and he took advantage of Williams' ability to make any throw, no matter how far downfield.

Burden averaged just shy of 14 yards per catch as a rookie, hauling in a pair of touchdowns from Williams, including a 65-yard flea-flicker against the Dallas Cowboys. Whether it's downfield or after the catch, Burden has all the tools to threaten opposing defenses with his ability to create huge chunks of yardage.

Ben Johnson Has High Expectations for Luther Burden III in 2026

There's a reason why Burden was the second player drafted by Johnson after he took the Bears' head-coaching job. After showing those brief flashes of potential as a rookie, Johnson told the media at this week's offseason activities that he's buying stock in Burden heading into the 2026 season.

"Yeah, I'm buying Luther Burden stock right now," Johnson said Thursday. "Just the way he's approached his offseason, it's been electric. That showed up yesterday; he had numerous explosive plays. I loved how, in Phase II, he was finishing every single rep that he took, and that really translated over to yesterday, as well. So, he's in a really good spot. He's still developing and growing...he's been extremely coachable, so I'm really happy with him."

DJ Moore Trade Opens Up More Opportunities for Luther Burden III

One of the reasons for Burden's lack of volume production last season was a deep group of veteran receivers. But after trading DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills in the offseason, there's clearly a change for Burden to earn a much bigger role in the offense as a primary target for Williams.

Rome Odunze is still at the top of the depth chart, but he struggled with consistency last season. Colston Loveland is sure to get his share of targets, too. But with Moore's departure, and the absence of Keenan Allen after his one-year deal expired, Burden's target share should see a significant increase in Year 2.

Luther Burden III Will Benefit From Continuity in Bears' Offense

It was impressive to see what Williams and Johnson did with the Chicago offense in their first season working together, but the ceiling should be even higher this season for the entire unit. They've got a full season of experience behind them, and the players who were already in the system in 2025 should hit the ground running this time around, instead of having to learn everything from scratch.

Johnson will have cooked up plenty of new and creative ways to use Burden's unique skill set as a versatile playmaker, and the former Missouri star should continue to thrive with a superstar like Williams throwing him the ball. All the pieces are in place for Burden to pursue a 1,000-yard season while establishing himself as one of the more exciting receivers in the league.

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This story was originally published May 28, 2026 at 7:38 PM.