There is a lot of belief that Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden is in for a strong 2026 season after all the buzz that is coming out of OTAs about him.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson told the media last week that he is buying stock in a breakout season for Burden, citing the explosive plays he is creating in practice. Despite all that and the belief that he will have a better season, Sports Illustrated NFL writer Conor Orr shared his 100 bold predictions for 2026, where he had Burden beating every wide receiver from the 2025 draft class except for one in all receiving statistical categories.
"Obviously, if Emeka Egbuka leads all NFL receivers in touchdown catches this year (No. 26), Burden cannot best the former Ohio State standout in that category. However, he will outpace Tetairoa McMillan, Matthew Golden and Jayden Higgins in a star-cementing 2026 campaign."
Luther Burden still has to beat Emeka Egbuka in 2026 to take top crown
Burden had an impressive start to his NFL career after a very slow start to the 2025 season. He finished with 47 receptions for 652 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 13.9 yards per reception.
Egbuka, on the other hand, put up some great numbers in Year 1 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as he caught 63 passes for 938 yards and six touchdowns. He was considered to be one of the best rookies in the draft class.
There was a lot that went into Burden's slow start in 2025, as it was a combination of Johnson calling more bubble screens with him and Caleb Williams spreading the ball around to all the receivers. Once Rome Odunze got hurt, though, Burden's role changed in the offense as he became more of a deep threat, and it paid off with a strong close to the year.
Read more: Every Bears fan is being urged to "tune in" for massive 2026 showdown
Burden has a lot to live up to as he has to replace DJ Moore as WR2 on the Bears, with some even thinking that the second-year receiver has a shot to be the number one receiver if he plays his cards right. With guys like McMillan and Egbuka in the same draft class, it's easy for Burden to get lost in the shuffle, but he should still be considered one of the best in the class and will eventually be in the conversation for the whole league.
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