The 2025 NFL Draft has now passed. Teams selected the future of their franchises across a chaotic three days in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Chicago Bears used one of their picks to bolster their offensive weapons, selecting Luther Burden III in the second round.
Chicago fans are certainly excited about this development. Quarterback Caleb Williams is among those excited, as well. Before he hits the field, let’s take a quick look at some of the details in his rookie contract.
Contract Details for Luther Burden III
Chicago selected Burden with the 39th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. As a result, his contract projection is somewhat set in stone. The former Missouri star is set to sign a four-year contract worth a total of $10.95 million, according to Spotrac.
Burden did not go in the first round, which significantly impacts his rookie deal. The biggest impact is the length of the deal. Burden does not have a fifth-year option in his contract; this is a straight four-year contract.
Burden could bring some added punch to a passing game on the rise. The former Missouri star joins 2024 draftee Rome Odunze as young, explosive pass-catching options on the Bears. Paired with Williams and new head coach Ben Johnson, the sky could be the limit for this team.
“At 6’0″, 206 pounds, Burden differentiates himself with his hyper-elite explosive athleticism, twitch, and frame density. His blend of dynamic mobility and contact balance makes him a menace after the catch, and there are flashes of soft skills as a pass-catcher,” PFSN’s Ian Cummings wrote in a scouting report on Burden before the draft.
“Burden still has room to implement more variance as a release artist and separator, but he’s a weapon when schemed touches, and he’s tough-as-nails when vying for difficult receptions. A two-level playmaker, Burden only stands to benefit from NFL support.”
The Bears had a promising start to the 2024 campaign. They won five of their first seven games, giving the fanbase confidence for the year ahead.
However, they then went on a 10-game losing streak that was only snapped with a 24-22 win over a playoff-bound Packers team in Week 18 that wasn’t playing a full allotment of starters for all four quarters. Chicago fired head coach Matt Eberflus during the season, subsequently replacing him with Johnson before free agency.
Chicago is hoping to take a step forward in 2025. They built around Williams in the draft, and they hope Burden can help this team succeed immediately. Whether the Bears can turn things around in 2025 is up for debate. In any event, this is certainly an exciting young team on the rise.
