There are plenty of young stars on the Chicago Bears in 2026 who could end up having a break out performance in 2026, but everyone keeps coming back to one guy.
That's because when Bears head coach Ben Johnson says it, everyone should take it to heart. Sports Illustrated's Eva Geitheim named a breakout candidate for each NFL team, with the Bears landing on wide receiver Luther Burden.
"If Ben Johnson is already buying stock in Luther Burden III, chances are, so should everyone else. Burden emerged as a blossoming target for the Bears late in his rookie season, highlighted by his 138-yard performance against the 49ers in prime time in Week 17. With DJ Moore now in Buffalo, Burden’s role is set to increase in 2026."
Luther Burden continues to be the Bears' easy breakout candidate
All OTAs, Burden has been getting praised by everyone for doing all the right things. He has looked the part for WR2, showing off his speed while doing all the small things that a receiver needs to do.
Last year, he had 47 receptions for 652 yards and two touchdowns in his first season in the NFL. It took some time for Burden to get comfortable and find his stride, but once Rome Odunze went down with his foot injury, Burden turned it up a notch and found success.
Entering Year 2, Burden is expected to take the leap from being WR3 to being Odunze's partner in crime. Bears tight end Colston Loveland will also be getting some targets, but Burden is now the new deep threat for the team that quarterback Caleb Williams is going to turn to often.
This Bears offense has the potential to be even better than their sixth overall ranking last year. It will all fall on whether Burden can live up to the offseason hype around him and be the man they need him to be at wide receiver.
Read more: Time is running out for Ryan Poles to do the right thing for Bears
All signs indicate that Bears fans need to buy stock in Burden, as he appears to have all the right things. With some more time in training camp and seeing the start of the season, the realization of a Burden breakout season is going to be crystal clear soon enough for the Bears fans and the whole city of Chicago.
Add us as a preferred source on Google