Chicago Bears fans have got to be loving all the buzz and attention second-year wide receiver Luther Burden is getting over the last few weeks.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson gave Burden the praise fans wanted to hear, as he is sold on the idea that his young receiver will have a strong 2026 season. Bleacher Report writer Moe Moton is on the same page as Johnson, as he would "buy" stock in Burden having a breakout year.
"Burden seems primed for a breakout 2026 season, and it's not just because of Johnson's comments. The Bears traded wideout DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills. He finished with the second-most targets (85) on the team last season. Secondly, fellow wideout Rome Odunze told reporters that he's dealing with a "different type of foot structure" in the healing process from a stress fracture that sidelined him for five games last year. Odunze said he doesn't expect last year's foot injury to impact his playmaking ability, but it's worth keeping an eye on his route-running and cuts on the field. With the departure of Moore and Odunze working through lingering effects of a foot stress fracture, Burden could be the Bears' No. 1 receiver in the upcoming season."
The buzz is getting louder and louder for Luther Burden III in 2026
Last season, Burden caught 47 passes for 652 yards and two touchdowns. The first half of the season was filled with negative-yard games, with Burden being used more as a screen receiver. Once Odunze went down, though, Burden exploded and became the big-play player the Bears were hoping he would be.
Burden's role will be different in 2026, as he is now WR2 behind Odunze. Some might even argue that they wouldn't be surprised to see Burden move up by the end of the season, as the Bears are going to want to chuck the ball down the field to him for big plays.
It may be tough for Burden, though, to have the kind of stats a WR2 would have with Odunze and tight end Colston Loveland also there. Caleb Williams is typically the type of quarterback who likes to spread the ball around, so everyone is going to get fed in this offense.
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The flashes of greatness were there when Burden was on the field, but it falls on the Bears and head coach Ben Johnson to use their young wide receiver in the right way. If late last year was an indication of what to expect from Burden, 2026 is truly going to be a special season for him and the rest of the Bears.
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