American Football
Luther Burden III: Bears HC to unleash 'dynamic playmaker' in 2026
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Chicago Bears' Luther Burden III was as impressive as any rookie receiver down the stretch last season, and according to his head coach, it was just the tip of the iceberg.
Speaking at the NFL owners' meetings in Phoenix, Ben Johnson's enthusiasm for Burden's second year was impossible to miss.
"He's exactly what we thought we were getting out of the draft," he said, clearly elated with the value Chicago found in Burden after selecting him with the 39th overall pick in 2025.
"This guy is a dynamic playmaker. He's got some of the best run-after-the-catch in the game right now," Johnson raved.
Greg Fiume / Stringer
Johnson discusses Burden's emergence
Burden started his rookie campaign slowly, being targeted only 15 times in the first seven games as he struggled to find room amid a crowded wideout room featuring D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze, and Olamide Zaccheaus.
Then the lights came on.
Over the final seven games of the regular season, the Missouri product led all Chicago receivers with 42 receptions, helping him to an impressive debut year with 47 receptions for 652 receiving yards.
The slow start, Johnson explained, was circumstantial, owing to injuries that limited Burden during the offseason programme.
"As young players, as rookies that didn't have a full offseason last year, it took us a little bit longer to get them going," Johnson admitted, discussing Burden and fellow rookie Colston Loveland.
"By midseason, the confidence had grown. I certainly felt better about putting [him] in different spots, running different routes, and Caleb [Williams] had developed a rapport by that point. That's where you started to see things take off for Luther," he continued.
Burden expected to play big role in 2026
John Fisher / Stringer
With Moore now gone, traded to the Buffalo Bills in a move that Johnson said left even him feeling "a little emotional," the head coach is clearly focused on what the future holds for Burden.
"What I've grown to love about him is this guy loves football. He's been in all offseason. He's been lifting weights with our strength staff. He's really, really excited to get a full offseason going and look to develop a bigger route tree," Johnson said.
"We've got to continue to get the ball in his hands as often as we possibly can," he stressed.
Caleb Williams has set his sights on the highest-scoring offense in NFL history. Whether that happens or not, Burden is shaping up to have a monster year.
