After the 2024 season, the Bears fired head coach Matt Eberflus. Chicago is lucky to hire former Lions OC Ben Johnson as the next head coach. He was highly sought after in the league.
Johnson was hired to help fix the Bears’ plunge. The team hopes to get the most out of Caleb Williams in 2024. Ben Johnson will certainly promote Williams’ work. The Bears used a second round pick at WR Luther Burden in Missouri at the 2025 NFL Draft. NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that the Bears received high praise from the Bears last week. The team believes that his “advantage is huge”.
How big is the first year WR Luther burden?
#bears Rookie WR Luther Burden III received praise for his work on Ben Johnson’s offense and his attention to detail last week.
Several Chicago coaches told me that there is no hidden huge talent…this is far better than him… pic.twitter.com/ae4exgl6wm
— Jordan Schultz (@schultz_report) August 13, 2025
The Bears chose WR Luther Burden III from Missouri at the 39th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. He played for the Tigers for three seasons. During his career at Missouri, Burden completed 192 catches with 2,263 yards and 21 touchdowns. His most productive season was in 2023, when he had 81 catches, lasting 1,212 yards and earning nine touchdowns. These are the highest careers at the age of 21.
Luther Burden joins a Bears team that is starting and learning a brand new offensive system. In May, at the Bears Small Training Camp, the Burden suffered a hamstring injury and must not miss Otas. Head coach Ben Johnson fears the burden will lag behind his development. However, rookie WR worked hard in training camp to learn John’s offense for the 2025 season.
Luther Burden’s stock in Ben Johnson’s eyes is 📈 pic.twitter.com/8nwxuh9hea
— Chicago in just one year: Bears (@Jaychi_Bears) August 13, 2025
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that the coaching staff received “strong praise” last week. The burden has taken time to understand the crime and displayed on the field. Currently, Burden finds himself buried in the depth map by WR3. DJ Moore and Rome Odunze are unquestionable starters in 2025. Olamide Zaccheaus and Devin Duvernay are listed as WR2.
On the 2025 NFL combine, Luther Burden ran a 4.41 40-yard dash and had a 39.5-inch vertical jump. At six feet, 210 pounds, the burden provides a blend of speed and explosiveness in his game. The Bear is optimistic about what rookie WR can do in 2025. Despite being listed as WR3, the burden can still see the legal game time this season.
