Training camp is over a month away, and there is one 2025 NFL Draft selection that is facing more pressure than any Chicago Bears player on the team.
This offseason has been all about building the roster around quarterback Caleb Williams to have more protection and talent around him on offense. They did rebuild the line with three new projected starters and the Bears used the NFL Draft to add more talent.
One of those selections was second-round wide receiver Luther Burden III out of Missouri. The Bears are hoping Burden can replace Keenan Allen and be the third starting receiver on the depth chart.
Burden hasn't even taken a snap yet, but the pressure is on with the young man to perform well during training camp.
Why Burden faces the most pressure of any rookie in the NFL
Bleacher Report writer Damian Parson listed the rookies from the 2025 NFL Draft facing the most pressure to perform well during training camp. Burden was on the list for Chicago as it has more to do with him bouncing back from his injury.,
"The Bears’ second-round pick excels as a run-after-catch slot receiver. Burden III understands spacing and getting to his design spots after the snap. He is explosive after the catch and is a threat whenever he possesses the football.
Burden has been absent from the end of OTAs and minicamp due to a soft tissue injury.
Needless to say, Burden must get caught up quickly in training camp. Burden is also unsigned due to contract disputes over guaranteed money (a theme is building). Burden doesn’t need a slow start to camp because fans will not be as forgiving, and his coaching staff needs to trust him."
Burden has been one of the top speedy receivers in all of college football over the last two years. He was selected as a second-team All-American in 2023 and has twice made the All-SEC team. Burden has caught 147 passes for 1,888 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2023 and 2024.
The soft tissue injury Burden has been dealing with has been one of the big mysteries of the offseason workouts so far. Bears head coach Ben Johnson has expressed concern that Burden is missing time with the injury, but all indications seem to be that he will be back for training camp.
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Chicago certainly hopes Burden can recover in time for training camp to start building that relationship with Williams. The Bears need to ensure nothing goes wrong in Williams' second season and need all hands on deck.
Burden is more than capable of burning any defender and can pick up the yards after catch with ease. Bears fans need to be able to see if they are in their team's uniforms, though in training camp and preseason, to feel better.