The Chicago Bears have eight practices in the books in training camp, and the most recent had all eyes on Luther Burden III.
A second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Burden was sidelined from early in the offseason program into training camp, but he returned to the field this week and put forth his best effort on the field on Thursday.
Fittingly, Burden spoke after the session.
Luther Burden III ‘Making It ‘Work’ in Bears Training Camp
WR Luther Burden III Making No. 87 ‘Work’
Burden has made several nice catches from quarterbacks Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent, and he had a few near-misses that would have qualified.
He spoke candidly about his return to the field and owned up to the error that drew head coach Ben Johnson’s ire earlier in the week. Burden also spoke candidly about his jersey number, “87,” which he has been less than enthusiastic about.
While that may not necessarily have changed, Burden is managing.
“Yeah, I’m making [No.] 87 work right now,” Burden told Clocker Sports while smiling after practice on July 31. “I’m making it work.”
Indeed, he did on Thursday. Still, Burden’s initial sentiments about wearing the number, that “all the good numbers were taken,” got the attention of some noteworthy former No. 87s, including former Bears wideout Tom Waddle and Super Bowl champion Ed McCaffrey.
Burden could revive the number.
Muhsin Muhammad, who once said the Bears were where receivers go to die, is the last receiver to wear 87 for the Bears.
That is likely partly due to the increase in players wearing single-digits and numbers in the teens. Kansas City Chiefs wideout Skyy Moore wears No. 24, and while no Bears wideouts have done that, it does illustrate the more modern options available that Muhammad lacked.
Regardless of his number, Burden looked the part on Thursday, which is encouraging.
LT Battle a Bout Amongst Friends
Braxton Jones #70, Ozzy Trapilo #75, and Kiran Amegadjie #72 of the Chicago Bears prepared to work through a drill in training camp. Mandatory credit: Clocker Sports.
The Bears have a legitimate three-man competition at left tackle, with 2024 third-round pick Kiran Amegadjie maintaining a steady presence alongside incumbent starter and 2022 fifth-round pick Braxton Jones and newcomer, rookie second-round pick Ozzy Trapilo.
All three players expressed gratitude toward the others and offered praise for what they bring to the table.
Given his draft stock, Trapilo might seem like the frontrunner.
“He’s a super smart player. He moves well. He’s strong,” Amegadjie told Clocker Sports about Trapilo on Thursday. “I think he has a strong work ethic, and he’s learning fast. So, I’m excited to see kind of what he has going on for his career.”
However, even after Johnson said Thursday’s session would help separate some guys from others, it is impossible to say anyone has the edge.
That could work in Jones’ favor.
He missed the offseason program recovering from ankle surgery. Jones admitted on Thursday was as challenging mentally as it was physically, if not more so. If Jones is holding his own in this battle and is not yet at full capacity, that may be what decides the battle.
Johnson wants to settle the front five before the Bears’ first preseason game. That will be at home against the Miami Dolphins on August 10.
Left tackle is all that stands between him and doing that, but his three options are all intriguing.
Caleb Williams’ Comfort in Bears’ Offense Showing
Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears goes through a drill in training camp. Mandatory credit: Clocker Sports
Thursday’s effort was not clean for the Bears’ second-year QB, but it was encouraging. Johnson got animated with Williams following a delay of game penalty during a live team period. Later, Johnson pulled Williams to the side for more coaching during position drills.
Still, Williams’ comfort in the Bears’ new offense is seemingly showing, both in his ability to get the team into the play (mostly) in a timely manner, and his improvisation off it.
Williams found Olamide Zaccheaus in a whirling dirvish of a pass for a touchdown on Thursday.
Zaccheaus has occupied the role many pegged Burden for following the draft. Moreover, he has done nothing to relinquish it, though the rookie’s strong showing on Thursday was a good start. Still, like Jones, Zaccheaus has experience on his side.
Williams’ rocky start under Johnson garnered attention. It should have been expected, especially given what they asked of him this offseason, including changing his footwork.
The playground style ball is not surprising; Williams thrives in those situations.
But Williams (and Johnson, for that matter) mixing in more of his dynamic ability into the Bears’ offense via designed runs or even just Williams being more decisive when he takes off will make the called plays that much more effective because the threat is there.
