The Chicago Bears will have a hard time keeping wide receiver Luther Burden III off the field this season, and the rookie second-round draft pick is looking forward to showing just why he was so highly touted coming out of college. A standout at Missouri, Burden slipped to the Bears with the No. 39 overall pick.
A hamstring injury kept him out from early in rookie minicamp to the start of training camp.
Since then, Burden has been anything but missing in action, and he expects it to continue.
“They’re going to see a game-changer,” Burden told Clocker Sports in the Bears’ locker room ahead of Tuesday’s practice when asked what fans will see from him on the field this season. “I’m here to change the game in a positive way. So, that’s what I’m here to do.”
Bears’ Luther Burden III Sets Tone Before ‘Monday Night Football’
Luther Burden III Looking to Prove Self to Bears
Burden entered the league amid rumblings of a “diva” mentality and questions about his practice habits, which only amplified amid his injury absence. However, Burden drew rave reviews for his work in the classroom before returning to the field as the Bears’ season-opener against the Minnesota Vikings on “Monday Night Football.”
His return has not been without its speed bumps.
But Burden is well on his way to showing exactly the kind of things he said that he wants to as the games begin to count.
“I’m looking to show I’m always available, always dependable for the team, any situation,” Burden told Clocker Sports on Tuesday. “I just want to go out there and make plays for the team and get as many wins as possible.”
Burden struggled with “MAs” (missed assignments) early on.
He could still be seen getting additional coaching from staff and even teammates during drills late into training camp. But Burden has mostly delivered for the Bears, especially on game days.
Luther Burden III’s Quick Catch-Up a Blow to Negative Narrative
Bears head coach Ben Johnson admitted that Burden, who is switching from No. 87 to No. 10, had “missed a lot” while sidelined with his injury. That makes the rookie’s ability to acclimate himself with the offense and earn looks from his quarterbacks all the more impressive.
“It’s all about confidence, man. I have the most confidence in the world. I always believe in myself first. So, long as I believe in myself, man, I feel I can do anything.”
Burden is a third-stringer on the Bears’ unofficial depth chart.
He is behind WR1 DJ Moore, whose work in the backfield could portend to less usage as a traditional receiver (though that remains unlikely), 2024 No. 9 overall pick Rome Odunze, and veteran free agent additions Devin Duvernay and Olamide Zaccheaus.
The Bears also have a pair of tight ends – Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland – that Johnson figures to feature heavily in the offense.
That could make it difficult for Burden to make a consistent impact.
It does not mean, however, that Burden will not make a significant impact, not just when he touches the ball, but also as a blocker, whenever he is on the field for the Bears during his rookie season.