With the Chicago Bears hours from facing the Cleveland Browns at home in Week 15, rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III drew an unfortunate update from the NFL during its weekly roundup.
Burden ran afoul of the league with his actions following a particular play in Week 14, during the Bears’ loss to the Green Bay Packers.
The fleeting decision quite literally cost the rookie.
Luther Burden III Fined Before Bears-Browns
Bears Luther Burden III Docked
Burden was a factor for the Bears against the Packers last week, finishing the contest with four receptions for 67 yards on six targets.
However, the NFL’s Gameday Accountability hub lists Burden as receiving an $11,075 foul for “unnecessary roughness,” with what the league could only deem “other” after he put his hand around the throat of Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon in the second quarter.
“The NFL fined Bears WR Luther Burden III $11,075 for unnecessary roughness — his role in this altercation last week,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported on X on December 13.
“Only Packers DB Keisean Nixon was flagged; Nixon was not fined.”
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur could also be seen saying Burden “threw a punch.” That would have resulted in Burden, the 39th overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, being ejected from the game. He notably posted a 3-55-0 line after halftime.
Nixon got the last laugh on Burden, avoiding a fine and snagging the game-sealing interception off Bears quarterback Caleb Williams.
Luther Burden III Hitting Stride at Right Time
The Bears need Burden to keep his wits about him in the heat of the moment. He continues to prove himself with more opportunities.
Burden had a 100-yard game in Week 3. However, he had 13 catches for 171 yards and 1 TD line across his first seven games with the Bears this season. He finished with single-digit receiving yards in four of those contests.
Over his last five contests, Burden has a 17-224-0 line.
Burden’s targets have risen from 2.1 looks per game during the initial stretch to 5.0 in the most recent one.
Bears WR Room Under Microscope
Burden is part of an attention-grabbing group for the Bears heading into their tilt against the Browns and the NFL’s best pass defense and edge rusher, Myles Garrett.
Fellow wideout DJ Moore’s usage has been a major source of intrigue this season. The former Carolina Panthers star is on track for a career-worst year statistically. It is also his first-ever winning campaign in the NFL.
Rome Odunze missed Week 14 with a foot injury, but is set to return in Week 15.
Olamide Zaccheaus has had issues with footing and drops, and he is mired in an overall quiet stretch. But he caught a big touchdown against the Packers.
Williams’ pass-catchers are at the mercy of his accuracy woes. But they are not without fault in some of what ails the second-year QB in that regard. If the Bears want to get to where they are trying to go this season, their passing attack must operate far more efficiently.