With so many mouths to feed in the Chicago Bears' offense, Luther Burden's path to significant impact as a rookie this season was always going to be difficult. But in time, head coach Ben Johnson paid off his promise to get the second-round rookie more involved.
If not for an ankle injury, which will sideline him for Week 16 against the Green Bay Packers, Burden was on track for the second 100-yard game of his career in Week 15 against the Cleveland Browns. As it was, he finished with six catches (on seven targets) for 84 yards, despite playing just 26 snaps.
Over his last three games, Burden has 14 catches on 19 targets. Spurred by topping 65 yards in each of his previous two, he has finished as the WR26 and WR23 in fantasy football (full PPR scoring) those weeks.
Burden has become roster-worthy in redraft fantasy leagues as this year winds down, if not starter material, depending on recent circumstances (though not in Week 16, of course). But his absolute ceiling, fantasy or otherwise, is still to be seen, and it probably won't be seen this season.
Place on narrow list confirms Luther Burden's untapped fantasy ceiling
As the 2025 season, and 2025 fantasy football season, winds down, managers may be casting a gaze toward 2026. With that in mind, with reference to dynasty leagues, ESPN's Matt Bowen has put Burden on his list eight players who are poised to make a jump next year.
"Burden's usage has increased in Ben Johnson's offense (20.8 routes run per game over the past five), plus he has the traits to produce on schemed touches (screens, fly sweeps, etc.)."
"A dynamic and sudden mover after the catch, in a system that creates three-level route deployment, Burden has playmaking upside in Chicago. We've seen flashes of that, too, especially in Burden's past two games (combined 10 receptions on 13 targets, 151 yards receiving)."
"If Chicago were to move on from DJ Moore in 2026, or if Burden simply jumps him on the depth chart, Burden would be in a position to produce WR2 numbers in a pass game that continues to develop with quarterback Caleb Williams. The arrow is pointing up for Burden."
Dipping into how he was deployed in college at Missouri (34 carries over three seasons), Burden had a rushing attempt in each of his previous three games before Week 15. Of course, some "schemed-up" usage in college made it easy to pigeonhole him in that way heading into April's draft, but he has proven he is a complete wide receiver during his rookie season.
Read more: Bears' rest of season 'dream scenario' is right in front of them to make reality
Buzz about the Bears trading DJ Moore this offseason has faded a little after his two-touchdown game in Week 15, but it won't go away. That would be the most straightforward path for Burden to have a bigger role next season, but he is pushing for that bigger role to come to full fruition anyway, and fantasy managers of all ilk should already be taking notice.