The hype around Rome Odunze and Luther Burden as the Chicago Bears' top two receivers entering 2026 has been rowdy.
Burden has been a popular pick to be the breakout star on the team in 2026, as Odunze is finally 100% healthy after last year's foot injury that cost him the final five games of the regular season. That doesn't mean everyone is completely on board with them being great, though. FanSided's Sayre Bedinger shared his top eight wide receivers in the NFC North, and the Bears duo did not receive the same enthusiasm as the rest of the division.
NFC North WR Rankings (via FanSided's Sayre Bedinger)
1. Justin Jefferson (Vikings)
2. Amon-Ra St. Brown (Lions)
3. Jameson Williams (Lions)
4. Jordan Addison (Vikings)
5. Jayden Reed (Packers)
6. Christian Watson (Packers)
7. Rome Odunze (Bears)
8. Luther Burden (Bears)
Rome Odunze and Luther Burden don't have everyone's belief quite yet
Odunze is a bit of a surprise to be behind two Green Bay wide receivers who have not done much in the NFL since joining the team. Bedinger's concern was that Odunze has not built the kind of chemistry with quarterback Caleb Williams that many had hoped would have happened by now. One stat that was used to back it up was that Williams has an 82.3 QB rating when targeting Odunze over the last two years.
While Bedinger did not say anything bad about Burden being ranked eighth, it's clear why he is at that spot. Most of the media is excited about the second-year receiver, but it's more about not 100% buying into his buzz until he shows it on the field in two months.
DJ Moore getting traded to the Buffalo Bills in the offseason was a clear sign that the Bears are bought into what Odunze and Burden can do as the team's top receivers. Odunze is a great route runner who is improving his hands, while Burden is the speed guy who can burn corners on deep passes.
There is a lot of growing each receiver has to go through, but many have to remember that they are young. Odunze and Burden are only going to get better, and after what was shown last year, that should be a scary thought.
Read more: Young Bears stars are proving they aren't resting before training camp
They may be ranked low going into the 2026 season, but something should tell Bears fans that when the same rankings come out next offseason, they will be ranked higher than seventh and eighth.
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