The Chicago Bears drafted wide receiver Luther Burden III in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft, despite many scouts giving him a first-round grade. He saw the field for the first time at rookie minicamp over the past couple of days, but left the field with an injury scare.
Luther Burden III’s Injury Concern at Minicamp
Burden III was one of the most dynamic offensive playmakers in the 2025 NFL draft. He was a five-star recruit out of high school, who committed to the Missouri Tigers with an ambition to build something at a smaller program.
After selecting tight end Colston Loveland in the opening round, the Bears went back for an offensive playmaker in round two, with Burden III.
At practice on Saturday, the Missouri product left practice with a potential injury after he caught a pass down the sideline and landed awkwardly, clutching at his midsection. Bears fans held their breath as their new slot receiver looked hurt early on, but a welcome update from Chris Emma on Sunday cleared the air:
After checking out of practice yesterday with some discomfort, Luther Burden III was back on the field and making plays. pic.twitter.com/q7SWw2Ws3r
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670)
Burden was back out there catching passes and looked ready to roll. The Bears are expected to take a major step forward offensively this season, and that could spell a major opportunity for the rookie receiver.
Burden had a major breakout year in 2023, when he erupted for 1,212 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns in his sophomore season. He played primarily out of the slot and showed an exceptional ability to make plays after the catch.
2024 didn’t quite go his way, and his drop-off in production was noted as one of the reasons he may not be drafted in the first round.
Ben Johnson’s Intentions for Burden in Chicago
Burden played with now Detroit Lions’ wide receiver Jameson Williams in high school. The two have always stayed in touch, and when the Missouri star was drafted, they connected again. Williams told Burden he was going to love Ben Johnson’s offense, and he’s ready to see it for himself.
Johnson has focused on building around quarterback Caleb Williams, and Burden could be a major piece of that. Some have made comparisons to the way Amon-Ra St. Brown was utilized in Detroit as a projection of Burden’s potential with the Bears.
St. Brown has averaged 60% of his snaps from the slot over the last four years with the Lions, while accumulating 5,262 receiving yards and 34 touchdowns. Burden has landed in an ideal scenario to maximise his potential, with a head coach who has been one of the NFL’s most impressive offensive minds in recent years.
If Johnson is able to get all of the pieces of Chicago’s offense singing from the same sheet, with DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Loveland, and Burden at receiver and a vastly improved offensive line, it could be a very interesting year in the NFC North.
